By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, President of Ochetoha K’Idoma, the umbrella organisation of the Idoma nation, has rejected his nomination as a member of the National Campaign Council Caucus of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying he was neither consulted nor did he consent to the appointment.
Ochefu disclosed this in a press statement on Monday, following the circulation of a list of nominees on social media bearing his name.
He stated that he was not consulted before his name was included on the list and stressed that he was neither a member of the NDC nor had he ever belonged to the party.
The former First Vice-Chancellor of Kwararafa University, Wukari, explained that his positions as National Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni (ANUA) and President of Ochetoha K’Idoma required him to remain politically neutral.
According to him, the organisations represent people with diverse political affiliations, making non-partisanship essential to the discharge of his responsibilities.
“These offices require me to remain non-partisan, and I intend to honour that obligation,” he said.
Ochefu, a Professor of Economic History and Strategic Studies at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, formerly Benue State University, disclosed that he had written to the chairman of the National Campaign Council Caucus to formally decline the nomination.
He also requested that his name be removed from the list and that a revised version be published to reflect the change.
His rejection of the nomination underscores his position that his leadership responsibilities require him to maintain political neutrality and serve members of the organisations he leads, irrespective of their party affiliations.
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