SAN FRANCISCO, February 16, (THEWILL) – Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State and senator of the federal republic has been sworn in as National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His choice however split the party as some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) strongly opposed his appointment.
Although the party’s national caucus, National Working Committee (NWC), PDP Governors Forum and National Assembly caucus had unanimously endorsed him as national chairman, some members of the BoT opposed it.
The members who spoke on condition of anonymity, told THEWILL that they needed a candidate with impeccable character, adding that Modu-Sheriff would give the party an image problem.
They recalled that the politician was accused of being a sponsor of the Islamic sect Boko Haram by an Australian hostage negotiator, Steven Davies.
But the party in a statement by National Publicity Secretary said Modu-Sheriff was sworn in “After very exhaustive consultations” Tuesday between the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Modu-Sheriff replaces Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who resigned after the party lost power in the last general elections.
“The decision of the NEC followed the nomination of Senator Sheriff by the National Caucus, a body with membership drawn from the forum of PDP governors, members of the National Assembly, Board of Trustees and National Working Committee of the party.
“Following other nominations at the NEC meeting, Senator Sheriff emerged the new National Chairman with 60 out of 71 voting NEC members present voting in his favour.
“The new National Chairman was sworn-in by the PDP lawyer, Barr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN) in a short ceremony at the party’s National Secretariat.
“The appointment was in keeping with section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution, which empowers the NEC to fill a vacant position with a person from the zone where the officer originated from,” the statement by Richard Ihediwa, the Special Assistant to the National Publicity Secretary, said.
