BEVERLY HILLS, February 22, (THEWILL) – Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday declared that Ahmed Makarfi is the only chairman of the party known to them.
The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Friday affirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the legitimate chairman of the PDP and annulled the convention that produced the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.
But the PDP Caucus in the Lower Chamber maintained that it would be “honourable” for Sheriff “to pack up and go”.
This was contained in a statement issued on behalf of the caucus by the House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, who said the judgement that affirmed Sheriff and nullified the caretaker committee was “discomforting”.
The PDP reps said no sincere member of the party would trust the Sheriff faction after their activities in the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.
The statement reads, “It is the opinion of many that the honourable thing would be for the Ali Modu Sheriff and his cohorts to pack up and go.
“The PDP caucus of the house of representatives wishes to state categorically that it finds the court of appeal verdict that nullified the decision of the national convention of the PDP on May 21, 2016 and reinstated the Modu Sheriff leadership very discomforting.
“The caucus supports the decision of the Ahmed Makarfi caretaker committee to seek redress at the supreme court. The caucus appeals to all leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party to please remain calm and focused, standing firmly on the position that there is no way the party will accept the Ali Modu Sheriff contraption which is yet to demonstrate any genuine iota of love for the party.
“Their activities in Edo and Ondo states are very fresh in peoples’ minds and as such, no honest and sincere member of our party can trust them – with such fundamental flaws of character and gross disdain for peace, order and brotherly relations.”
The opposition lawmakers lamented that the selfish interests of some people in the party has injured the PDP.
“In this vein, the PDP caucus of the house of representatives has resolved that we shall not, under any condition, consider or approve any agenda aimed at foisting Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff or any of his scanty co-travellers on the PDP.
“The only leadership known to the PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives is, and shall remain the one led by his excellency, senator Ahmed Makarfi,” they said.
The legislators insisted that “Ali Modu Sheriff should please take his hands off our party” as “we unequivocally endorsed the leadership of senator Ahmed Makarfi”.
