The suspended Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Ali Odefa, has been expelled by his Oguduokwor Ward in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Naija News recalls that Odefa had been suspended by the party’s ward executives on September 11, 2024, due to his purported involvement in various activities deemed detrimental to the party’s interests.
On November 29, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abakaliki upheld this suspension in its ruling on case No: FHC/AI/CS/182/2024.
Subsequently, during a press conference held on Wednesday, the Acting Chairman of the PDP Oguduokwor Ward, Onyeka Herbert Ovuta, announced Odefa’s expulsion, indicating that this decision was made in accordance with the recommendations of the ward’s disciplinary committee, which substantiated the claims of anti-party conduct.
The ward party chairman said: “The expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa follows the report, findings and recommendations of the party’s Ward Disciplinary Committee, which is in line with the provisions of the party constitution.”
According to him, Odefa “ceases to be a member of the party.”
Parts of a statement released by the ward executives read, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oguduokowor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State hereby announce the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa, the suspended National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South East Zone from the party which takes immediate effect.
“The expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa follows the report, findings, and recommendations of the party’s Ward Disciplinary Committee, which is in line with the provisions of the party constitution.
“Recall that Chief Ali Odefa was suspended from the party by the Ward leadership on 11th September 2024.
“Consequent upon the judgement of the Federal High Court Abakaliki in suit number FHC/AI/CS/182/2024, which affirmed the suspension of Chief Ali Odefa, the Disciplinary Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward after their sittings on the above subject matter unanimously recommended that Chief Ali Odefa the Suspended PDP National Vice Chairman South East Zone be expelled from the party.
“The Executive Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward on 11th December 2024, after receiving the report, findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward, unanimously approved the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa from the part,y which is in compliance to section 58(1) and section 59(1) of the PDP constitution.
“Henceforth, Chief Ali Odefa, seizes to be a member of our party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
However, Odefa has yet to respond to the development as of the time of filing this report.