A professor of economic history and strategic studies at Benue State University, Makurdi, Yakubu Ochefu, has rejected his appointment to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) national campaign council, saying he was not consulted before his name was included.
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 had never been a member of the party and did not consent to the appointment.
Ochefu was listed among the members of the 155-member campaign council announced by the NDC on Sunday.
“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.”
The professor said he had formally written to the council’s chairman to reject the appointment and request the removal of his name from the list.
“I have written to the Chairman of the Council to decline the appointment and to request that my name be withdrawn and a revised list published,” he said.
Ochefu explained that his positions as national chairman of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni (ANUA) and president-general of Ochetoha K’Idoma required him to remain non-partisan, as the memberships of both organisations span different political parties.
NDC announces 155-member campaign council
The NDC announced its 155-member national campaign council on Sunday, naming Seriake Dickson, the party’s national leader, as chairman and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as co-chairman.
Cleopas Zuwoghe, the NDC national chairman, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, were appointed vice-chairman and co-vice-chairman, respectively.
Ikenna Enekweizu, the party’s national secretary, was named council secretary, while ICT strategist Ibrahim Abdulkarim was appointed director-general.