BEVERLY HILLS, September 20, (THEWILL) – The leadership crisis that has plagued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is over, according to the two feuding factions led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff.
THEWILL gathered that the factional chairmen met Tuesday and agreed to set up a committee that will look at all issues that have brought the former ruling party to its knees.
Confirming the development, Dr. Cairo Ojugbo, the National Vice Chairman of the Sheriff faction and Dr. Ben Obi, the National Secretary of the Makarfi-led Caretaker committee, addressed a joint press conference in Abuja Tuesday, saying both factions have agreed to work together after agreeing to end the crisis.
The text of the joint press statement said: “In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party since the loss of the 2015 general election after 16 years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds and bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process, bring relief to the teeming supporters of our great party and to the benefit of our great country.
“Based on the above, we have both agreed to consult widely with all relevant organs of the party, set up a joint committee that will carry out a holistic reconciliation of all aggrieved segments of our party across the country and in Diaspora and to pursue the vision of the founding fathers of our great party.”
In a separate chat with THEWILL via telephone, Cairo said, “Both leaders, that is, Sheriff and Makarfi have met and agreed to unify the party. I can tell you that the feud is over and we have one unified party.” When asked about who the authentic chairman of the party is, Dr. Cairo said: “Part of the agreement is that we will not speak to the press on that subject until the committee set up comes up with a harmonized position. But I can assure you that we now have one united crisis-free party.”
