By Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, has confirmed Chidiebere Egwu as the National Vice Chairman (NVC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Southeast zone.
Egwu was nominated by Southeast PDP stakeholders to replace Chief Ali Odefa, who was expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities.
Justice Hilary Oshomah delivered the judgement in suit No: FHC/AI/CS/229/2024, filed by Egwu (plaintiff) against Umar M. Bature (PDP National Organising Secretary), Chief Ali Odefa, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (defendants).
The court ruled that under Articles 45, 47(6), 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution (as amended, 2017), and a prior ruling in suit No: FHC/AI/CS/182/2024, Odefa’s suspension and expulsion by the PDP Executive Committee in Oguduokwor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area, left the Southeast National Vice Chairman position vacant. Egwu was then nominated to complete Odefa’s unexpired term.
The court ordered the PDP and INEC to recognise Egwu as the substantive National Vice Chairman for the Southeast zone. It also barred Odefa from presenting himself as the zone’s National Vice Chairman.