PDP Considers Jimi Agbaje as Compromise National Chairman 

 

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

 

Despite the protracted crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was worsened by a Federal High Court ruling last week recognising Senator Ali Modu Sherrif as its national chairman, the leadership of the party backing the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee may be seriously considering a two-time governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, as the national chairman of the PDP.

Should the leadership of the party including its influential governors get its way, Agbaje will be angling for the post in a field of candidates comprising former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel; Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; and a former National Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, who is expected to throw his hat into the ring today to lead the PDP.

Last month, the Markafi-led committee had zoned the national chairmanship post of the PDP to the south and presidency to the north.

It also fixed August 17, 2016 for its national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to elect new officers that would take over from the Makarfi-led committee of the party.

However, the leadership of the party and most of its governors may have decided to settle for Agbaje due to the respect he commands in the society and the absence of corruption cases hanging over his head, which the field of other PDP contestants do not possess.

A party chieftain, who spoke to THISDAY on the issue, said: “Agbaje commands respect and has remained above board. Since the party has zoned the chairmanship post to the south, and it is our intention to go ahead with the national convention on August 17, we have decided to back a candidate whose integrity cannot be questioned and who will provide the vision to present the PDP as a reformed party.”

He explained that the choice of Agbaje, which also stemmed from the need to present a neutral leadership that has not been tainted by the leadership tussle in the last few months, would ensure internal democracy, and one that will engender the confidence of the Nigerian electorate in 2019.

Despite the push by the leadership of the party for the emergence of Agbaje as the new PDP chairman this month, Dokpesi, at the weekend, forged ahead with his campaign in Osogbo, Osun State, where he canvassed for the votes of delegates at the upcoming national convention.

Reacting to the money laundering charges currently preferred against him, Dokpesi said President Muhammadu Buhari was using the same strategy he used in 1983, after taking over power as military head of state, to clamp down on the political class.

According to him, “Many of these politicians were jailed 200 to 300 years by Buhari when he came on board. The same thing is playing out today. What I am accused of is like someone questioning a hotelier for accepting money from a lodger.

“How could a hotelier determine the source of the money he is being paid with; I don’t want to dwell much on the subject. The matter is before a competent court of law. At the appropriate time, I will be vindicated.”

On his plans, if elected PDP chairman, the founder of AIT television and Raypower radio station promised to ensure all interests within the party are united into a formidable force capable of winning elections.

He said the first step towards achieving the objective is by reviewing all the reports of past reconciliatory committees, emphasising on the need to stop the factionalisation of the PDP.

He equally assured his audience that he would work to win Osun State for the PDP, even as he pledged allegiance to the Makarfi-led national leadership of the party.

In his remarks, the Osun factional PDP chairman, Dr. Bayo Faforiji, assured the delegation that the state’s delegates would vote for Dokpesi.

He thanked him for visiting state chapters across the country to sell his manifesto, noting that it was the first of its kind since the resumption of party politics in the country.

In a related development, the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP has cleared the former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, of allegations of anti-party activities levelled against him during the 2015 elections.

The sacked National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had accused Anenih of anti-party activities in Imo State during the last presidential and state elections.

The leadership of the party had in a letter dated May 19, 2015, signed by then PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, requested Anenih to appear before it. However, he shunned the invitation before he voluntarily relinquished the BoT chairmanship position.

But the Makarfi-led committee, in a letter dated July 22 and addressed to Anenih, informed him of the party’s withdrawal of the summons.

The letter signed by the secretary of the committee, Senator Ben Obi, read in part: “With a view to finally clear all the issues relating to this matter and based on your request to meet with the current caretaker committee, and the agreed meeting which took place on July 13, 2016, the committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, wishes to thank you for appearing before it to finally clear all issues relating to this matter.

“Having heard from you and held some consultations, the caretaker committee has reviewed the whole episode and decided to withdraw the said letter from you which was issued by the defunct National Working Committee.”

In his response, Anenih commended the PDP caretaker committee for the steps it took to correct the injustice meted out to him by the immediate past NWC.

He also commended the committee for giving him the opportunity to explain himself with respect to the issue, as well as the process it had embarked upon to reposition the party.

However, the ousted former national chairman, Sheriff, has rejected Anenih’s clearance, saying it did not follow due process.

In a statement issued on his behalf yesterday by Hon Bernard Mikko, Sheriff said that Anenih should re-apply to the party, with his response to the pending query for consideration.

Sheriff, who is still contesting the removal of his leadership in court, said: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the status of Chief Tony Anenih as a member of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP.

“Party members and loyalists will recall that the National Working Committee (NWC) issued a query to Chief Tony Anenih in April 2015 as part of disciplinary procedures for his anti-party activities in Imo State during the 2015 general election in line with Article 57(4) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended).

“Chief Anenih did not respond to the query but chose to tender a letter of resignation as BoT member. Up till date, the query remains unanswered and his resignation remains valid.

“Any effort to re-admit the chief will have to follow due process which is well known to all party members. If the chief is desirous of returning as a member of the BoT, he should re-apply to the party, with his response to the pending query for consideration. Party members are hereby assured that no individual or group will be prejudiced in the enforcement of discipline and application of the rule of law.”