Makarfi, Sheriff ‘s Tussle Divides PDP State Chairmen

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is threatening the solidarity and unity of the state chapters of the party.

Following the declaration of loyalty and support for the former National Chairman of theparty, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff by the Borno State PDP chapter Chairman, Hon. Shehu Shettima, the Chairman of PDP State Chairmen, Hon. Yahaya Y. Suleiman, monday said the state chapters of the party are in support of the National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Apart from reiterating their loyalty to national caretaker committee, Suleiman said in statement that the chairmen are pledging support for the party’s candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The statement read: “The attention of the PDP state Chairmen has been drawn to a purported declaration of loyalty and support to the former National Chairman of our great party, Sheriff by the Borno State PDP chapter Chairman, Hon. Shehu Shettima.

“I wish to state on behalf of the state chapter chairmen of the PDP in 29 states of the federation, that our unflinching and unalloyed loyalty and maximum support remains with the party led by the Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

“Our loyalty is first and foremost to the PDP and to the national caretaker committee which is a product of the party’s highest decision making organ, the national convention that held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and also affirmed by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on the fourth of July, 2016.

“My position which represents that of 29 out of 30 chairmen of our party in the state where congresses held during the last state congresses is that, the PDP must first of all survive before we can remain chairmen in our respective states. So, our loyalty is first to the PDP and then to the national caretaker committee which is approved, constituted and appointed by the PDP’s national convention; and upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“He warned that any of our member or members pitching tent with Sheriff should know that the interest of the party is supreme, paramount and bigger than any personal or parochial interest.
“This is why we are also pledging our maximum support to the PDP leadership to dislodge and uproot the APC in Edo State come Saturday, September 10, 2016.

“The PDP has only one candidate in Edo State, and his name is Ize-Iyamu and that is already confirmed by the court Judgment in Port Harcourt, on the 4th of July, which also made INEC to accept him as the PDP flag-bearer. We are all queuing behind him and his running mate to provide the necessary dividends of democracy to the people of the state that have been impoverished in the last seven and half years of the APC’s administration.

“We wish to therefore advise anyone hanging on to a non existing court judgment or order on Thursday, July 28, 2016 by Justice Okon Abang to desist from doing so. Any such person or persons are only working to destroy the PDP and playing the script of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Finally, we call on our members nationwide to continue keeping faith with the PDP and support the Makarfi’s led national caretaker committee and be focused on the preparation towards the forthcoming Nnational convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State holding on August 17, 2016,” he said.