Stakeholders in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, have expressed mixed feelings over the court ruling on Wednesday affirming the expulsion of Mr Ali Odefa, former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-East Zone.
The PDP in the South East had also on Wednesday, conducted a congress in Enugu and elected same Odefa as their new National Vice Chairman for the zone.
PDP Ebonyi chapter, had sometime in January 2025, nominated the Zonal Youth Leader of the party, Mr Chidiebere Egwu, as replacement for the expelled South-East National Vice Chairman, Odefa.
In a separate reaction from the stakeholders in Abakaliki, they have divergence reactions to the development and urged members to avoid any acts capable of disruptiing the guidelines and rules of the party.
Mr Zaccheaus Ogbuefi, a party stakeholder, said the PDP remained together and stronger, noting that the Court order had nothing to do with the party affairs.
According to him, we will not allow the enemies of the party to destroy what we have achieved.
“As I am speaking with you, I am right here in Enugu for our congress and Ali Odefa has emerged as our new national Vice chairman for the South East zone for the second term.
“Party affairs cannot be taken for granted. Court has nothing to do with party affairs. I must tell you, PDP is on the move,” he added.
Also reacting, Egwu, who was nominated as replacement for the expelled National Vice Chairman, South-East, Odefa, condemned the illegal activities of the fake members of the party.
He noted that members in the zone would not fold hand to allow the house already built to fall down.
Egwu described the congress organised by Odefa in Enugu as “illegal” and move to disorganise PDP in the Southern part of the country.
He, therefore called for his arrest.
“To make it clearer to you. Ali Odefa is no more member of PDP, he has been expelled from his war, Ogwudokwor in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi.
“So, he is no more a member and you have to be a member before taking any position in the party. The people should disregard his purported emergence as the new Vice Chairman in the zone. That’s illegal.
“We are law abiding citizens and will continue to work in support of the law of the land and the constitution of our dear party.
“PDP is an institution and it doesn’t belong to a set of people. We will continue to work hard towards repositioning the party in the zone and country at large. We remain one family as a party,” he stated.
Another stakeholder, Mr Monday Ajah, called on members to be focused and promote the agenda of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“There is no need disorganising the party in the zone and Nigeria at large. PDP has been our party and it has done good to the nation.
“I, therefore condem whatever illegal activities from our members. It is high time the court sat up. Defaulters of court orders must be arrested without delay,” Ajah added.