Court rulings upheld; stakeholders warn against contempt, threaten legal action
As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, a major rift has emerged from the South-East zone, with party stakeholders declaring that Chief Ali Odefa is no longer a member of the party and must not be allowed to attend.
In a statement released Tuesday, South-East PDP stakeholders strongly opposed Odefa’s planned participation, citing his expulsion from the party and a series of binding court judgments that bar him from acting in any official capacity.
The group described Odefa’s continued self-identification as the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East) as illegal, noting that his expulsion has been upheld by two separate judgments of the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
In the first ruling, delivered on February 26, 2025 (Suit No. FHC/AI/CS/227/2024), Justice Hillary I. O. Oshomah:
- Restrained Chief Odefa from parading himself as a PDP member or officer;
- Declared parts of the PDP Constitution inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution;
- Upheld the right to fair hearing and political participation.
A second judgment on April 10, 2025 (Suit No. FHC/AI/CS/2/2025), reaffirmed Odefa’s expulsion, recognized Egwu Chidebere Goodluck as the validly nominated PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), ordered INEC to recognize him, and issued a perpetual injunction against Odefa’s involvement in PDP activities.
Stakeholders emphasized that both rulings remain unchallenged and legally binding, warning that any attempt to involve Odefa in party meetings would amount to contempt of court.
“In the eyes of the law, Chief Ali Odefa is no longer a PDP member. He cannot attend, represent, or participate in any capacity,” the statement read.
Warning to PDP Leadership
Amid growing concerns that Odefa may be permitted to attend Wednesday’s NWC meeting or the NEC session scheduled for next week, stakeholders warned that any decisions reached with his participation could be nullified.
They cautioned the PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun, that he risks being held in contempt of court if he allows Odefa into official party deliberations.
“Such actions would undermine judicial authority and could attract serious legal consequences,” the group stated.
Legal Action on the Horizon
The stakeholders also revealed that Hon. Egwu Chidebere Goodluck’s legal team is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to take swift legal action to enforce the court’s rulings.
“The Damagun-led leadership must respect the law. Ignoring valid court decisions undermines the party’s integrity and threatens its democratic foundations,” they warned.
This latest development signals a deepening leadership crisis within the South-East PDP and highlights ongoing tensions surrounding internal party discipline, respect for court orders, and adherence to constitutional governance ahead of key national decisions.
