Professor rejects NDC appointment
A professor at Benue State University, Makurdi, Yakubu Ochefu, has rejected his inclusion in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) National Campaign Council, stating that he is not a member of the party and was not consulted before his name was added to the list.
Ochefu, a professor of economic history and strategic studies, made his position known in a statement he personally signed on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The academic, who previously served as secretary-general of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), explained that he had no knowledge of the appointment until he came across the campaign council list circulating on social media.
He clarified that he had never been a member of the NDC and did not give the party permission to include his name among the members of its national campaign council.Buy Maps
Ochefu also disclosed that he had written to the chairman of the council to formally reject the appointment and request that his name be removed from the list.
He further called for the publication of a revised list that would exclude his name, maintaining that he had neither been consulted nor given his consent before the announcement was made.
The professor explained that his current leadership positions require him to remain politically neutral. He is the national chairman of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni (ANUA) and the president-general of Ochetoha K’Idoma.
According to him, the two organisations have members with different political affiliations, making it necessary for him to maintain a non-partisan position while carrying out his responsibilities.
His rejection comes days after the NDC announced the composition of its 155-member National Campaign Council as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party released the list on Sunday, October 25, naming its national leader, Seriake Dickson, as chairman of the council.Tour Colleges
Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, was appointed co-chairman, while the NDC National Chairman, Cleopas Zuwoghe, was named vice-chairman.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, was appointed co-vice-chairman of the council.
The party also named its National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, as the council’s secretary, while ICT strategist Ibrahim Abdulkarim was appointed director-general.Buy Maps
