MAKURDI, Benue State — Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, a Professor of Economic History and Strategic Studies at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, has rejected his reported appointment to the National Campaign Council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declaring that he is not a member of the party and was neither consulted nor asked to consent to the appointment.
Ochefu made his position known in a statement he personally signed on Monday, October 26, 2026, following the circulation of a list on social media identifying him as a member of the opposition party’s National Campaign Caucus.
The university don said the publication had wrongly associated him with the party, stressing that he had never been a member of the NDC and had not authorised anyone to include his name on its campaign council list.
“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.
He added: “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 disclosed that he had formally written to the chairman of the council to decline the appointment and requested that his name be withdrawn from the list. He also called for a revised list that would reflect his position.
“I have written to the Chairman of the Council to decline the appointment and to request that my name be withdrawn and a revised list published,” he stated.
The professor explained that his decision to distance himself from partisan political activities was informed by his responsibilities in two organisations whose memberships cut across political affiliations.
Ochefu is the National Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni (ANUA) and the President-General of Ochetoha K’Idoma. According to him, the leadership positions require him to maintain political neutrality and serve members regardless of their party affiliations.
“As National Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni, ANUA, and President-General of Ochetoha K’Idoma, I lead organisations whose members cut across all political parties. These offices require me to remain non-partisan, and I intend to honour that obligation,” he said.
He thanked those who contacted him to seek clarification about the circulating list and urged the public to disregard the reported appointment insofar as it concerned him.
The development highlights the importance of obtaining consent before publicly announcing individuals as members of political campaign organisations, particularly where those named hold leadership positions in professional, academic or community-based institutions.
Campaign councils are commonly constituted by political parties to coordinate mobilisation, communication, outreach and other activities ahead of elections. However, the inclusion of a person’s name on a published list does not, by itself, establish that the individual accepted the role or agreed to participate in the party’s activities.
In Ochefu’s case, his statement makes clear that he rejects the reported appointment and wants the NDC to withdraw his name and publish a corrected list.
The controversy also places renewed attention on the need for political parties and campaign organisers to verify appointments and obtain confirmation from prospective members before publicising their participation.
As of the statement reported on Monday, Ochefu had disclosed that he had written to the council chairman, but no response from the NDC confirming the withdrawal of his name or publication of a revised list was included in the reports reviewed.
His position is therefore clear: he does not identify as an NDC member, did not consent to the reported appointment and intends to maintain the non-partisan stance he considers necessary for his leadership responsibilities.
