Benue Varsity Don Rejects Inclusion in NDC Campaign Council, says He Wasn’t Consulted

Yakubu Ochefu, a professor of economic history and strategic studies at Benue State University, Makurdi, has rejected his appointment to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) national campaign council.

In a statement he personally signed on Monday, Ochefu, a former secretary-general of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), said he is not a member of the party and was not consulted before his name was added to the list.

In the 155-member campaign council list released on Sunday, Ochefu was named as member.

“My attention has been drawn to a list circulating on social media, titled ‘Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) National Campaign Council’, which names me as a member of its National Campaign Caucus,” the statement reads.

“I wish to inform the public that I am not a member of the NDC and have never been.

“I was not consulted before my name was included, nor did I give consent.”

Ochefu said he had written to the chairman of the council to decline the appointment and request the withdrawal of his name.

“I have written to the Chairman of the Council to decline the appointment and to request that my name be withdrawn and a revised list published,” he said.

He noted that his positions as national chairman of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni (ANUA) and president-general of Ochetoha K’Idoma require him to remain non-partisan, as members of the two associations cut across political parties.

On Sunday, the NDC announced a 155-member campaign council, naming Seriake Dickson, national leader of the party, as chairman, while Peter Obi, its presidential candidate, serves as co-chairman.

The party also appointed Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC national chairman, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, its vice-presidential candidate, as vice-chairman and co-vice-chairman, respectively.

Ikenna Enekweizu, the party’s national secretary, is to serve as council secretary, while Ibrahim Abdulkarim, an ICT strategist, was appointed director-general.