Embattled former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting Chairman Ali Modu Sheriff Wednesday lost more support as eight members of his National Working Committee (NWC) jumped ship and supported the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee.
Also, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike accused Sheriff of making a U-turn on the party’s national convention when he got information that he was not qualified to contest last Saturday’s election.
Wike, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “We have seen that there is a hidden agenda, but nobody can destroy the PDP. The PDP will wax stronger.”
According to him, Sheriff subjected himself to screening by the National Convention Screening Committee last Friday and he (Sheriff) praised the transparent process, only to cite a court order on Saturday, during a news conference in Port Harcourt, when the result of the screening committee did not favour him.
He noted that by “his anti-party actions”, the former acting national chairman had proved his numerous critics right that he was out to destroy the PDP.
Wike, who was the chairman of the 2016 National Convention Planning Committee, alleged that the main associates of the former acting national chairman were persons of questionable character.
He said: “Those around the former Acting National Chairman (of PDP) have questionable character. They are people who think that they can use the judiciary to cause crisis.
“In my entire political career, I have never seen a man with many opponents as Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. He should apologise to the members of the party.”
He said Sheriff filed a suit against the party, but lied about his involvement in the suit, which was later discovered by the PDP stakeholders.
He urged all the stakeholders to support the caretaker committee of the party, to lead the PDP to success.
Eight members of the immediate past NWC yesterday announced that they had dumped Sheriff.
The eight ex-party officials are: Prince Uche Secondus (Deputy National Chairman); Hon. Onwe Solomon Omwe (Deputy National Secretary); Mr. Victor Kwom (National Legal Adviser); Dr. Kema Chikwe (National Woman Leader); Mr. Abdullahi Maibasira ( National Youth Leader); Elder Bolaji Anani (National Financial Secretary); Alhaji Buhari Bala (National Treasurer) and Chief Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).
In a six-point resolution dated May 25, 2015, the ex-party officials said:
“As products of the party’s National Convention, we accept without equivocation all decisions and resolutions of the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held at Port Harcourt on 21st May 2016.
“The decision of the National Convention dissolving the National Working Committee merely re-echoes our undeniable decision as members of National Working Committee to give up our tenures for congresses and Convention to be held in May 2016.
“The National Caretaker Committee constituted by the National Convention on 21st May 2016 is fully within the powers of the National Convention under Section 33(5)(e) of the party’s constitution.
“We recognise the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and offer the Committee all our support and cooperation.
“As responsible and honourable party members who have had the privilege of serving the party at the highest level, we do not support and are not party to any suit, action or activity seeking to challenge the decisions of the National Convention in appointing the National Caretaker Committee or dissolving the former NWC, which had, at any rate, earlier agreed to go.
“We enjoin the entire mass of the youth, women, elders, stakeholders and membership of the party nationwide to shun personal interest and support and cooperate with the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee so that the party may move forward.
The ex- National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo and ex-National Auditor Adewole Adeyanju have teamed up with Sheriff to contest their ouster in the law courts.
Follow Us
