The recent turn of events within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East is nothing short of an institutional embarrassment. How does a party expel a high-ranking official, have the decision upheld by a Federal High Court, and then, on the very same day, re-elect the same individual to the same position? If this doesn’t scream a lack of structure, I don’t know what does.
The February 26, 2025, ruling by the Federal High Court in Abakaliki affirmed the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa from the PDP. This was not a mere disciplinary warning—it was an outright expulsion, meaning he was no longer a recognized member of the party. Yet, while the ink on that judgment was still drying, the PDP’s South-East zonal congress in Enugu went ahead and re-elected him as the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-East).
This contradiction is not just laughable; it’s a cause for serious concern. It signals a blatant disregard for due process, an undermining of judicial authority, and an absence of internal coordination within the PDP. How does a party function when its structures are working against themselves? If court rulings can be ignored so easily, what message does this send about respect for the rule of law?
Beyond the legal implications, this incident further exposes the PDP’s internal dysfunction. A party that cannot coordinate its own decisions will struggle to gain the trust of Nigerians. If they cannot enforce their own disciplinary measures, how can they be trusted to govern effectively?
This situation should not be taken lightly. If the PDP fails to address this contradiction decisively, it risks further division and loss of credibility—not just in the South-East but nationwide. A political party must be built on structure, discipline, and respect for legal institutions. Unfortunately, the PDP’s handling of the Odefa case proves it is lacking in all three.
