A professor at Benue State University, Makurdi, Yakubu Ochefu, has rejected his inclusion in the National Campaign Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying he was neither consulted nor gave his consent before his name was published.
Ochefu, a former Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) and professor of Economic History and Strategic Studies, announced his decision in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.
He also clarified that he is not a member of the NDC and has never belonged to the party.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“I have written to the Chairman of the Council to decline the appointment and to request that my name be withdrawn and a revised list published,” Ochefu said.
He explained 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 because the membership of both organisations cuts across political parties.
The NDC had on Sunday unveiled a 155-member National Campaign Council, with former Bayelsa State governor and national leader of the party, Seriake Dickson, named as chairman.
The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was named co-chairman.
NDC National Chairman Cleopas Zuwoghe and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were also named vice-chairman and co-vice-chairman, respectively.
