Sheriff lists conditions for resolving PDP crisis

…Wants proposed convention deferred

…Seeks disbandment of Makarfi’s committee

Court recognised factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has given conditions under which peace could return to the crisis ridden party.

Sheriff said on Wednesday in Abuja that for peace to return to the opposition PDP, its forthcoming national convention slated to hold on August 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, should be put off, with a new date fixed by all stakeholders of the party.

The former Borno State governor said this shortly after meeting with members of reconciliation committee set up by the Board of Trustees (BoT) to reconcile aggrieved party members.

Sheriff further said that the National Caretaker Committee of the party, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, should be disbanded‎.

He argued that such committee was alien to the PDP constitution.

The Professor Jerry Gana-led committee met with the factional chairman at his office in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday night, and rose about 12 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Aside from Professor Gana, other reconciliation committee members present at the meeting were’ former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, his Enugu State counterpart, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Aboidun Olujimi‎, former Senate Whip, Senator Stella Omu, former Minister of Aviation, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze, former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd) among others.

Among those who followed Sheriff to the meeting were former PDP Vice Chairman (South-South), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Senator Hope Uzodinma and former Presidential Political Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, among others.

Sheriff, it was gathered, agreed to make concession but only in accordance with the PDP constitution.

It was further gathered that the factional Chairman was against the Port Harcourt venue of the convention as well as Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State heading the national convention planning committee.

Sherff, findings showed, maintained that the ward, local government and state congresses already concluded and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) must stand.

Earlier in his opening remarks before the meeting with the reconciliation committee went into a close door session, Sheriff accused some of the party leaders, including some members of the committee of being responsible for the leadership crisis.

The PDP crisis, he pointed out, would not have arisen if leaders were alive to their responsibilities.

His words: “If our leaders have taken their responsibilities, we would never have had most of the problems we are facing today.

“When a leader refuses to stand up to his responsibilities, there will be problem.

“Why am I saying this? Some of our leaders are parties to our problem.‎ The moment we want to use one impunity to address another, it will not work”.

While also speaking at a joint press briefing with the committee chairman, Professor Gana at the end of the meeting, Sheriff noted that the BoT was now better informed on the crisis.

His words: “All that was discussed today (Tuesday) was the problem. They (committee members) will go back to the BoT that sent them. I am sure that in the next meeting, they will come back with recommendations that will bring lasting solutions and peace to the party”.

Sheriff however lauded the effort of the BoT‎ towards ensuring that the leadership crisis within the PDP is amicably resolved.

Speaking also, Prof. Gana stated that the committee had taken adequate note of the issue causing disaffection within the   party.

His words: “We are delighted that there have been a clear resolution on the determination and the desire that the problems be resolved, unity be re-established and for PDP to move forward.

“Nigerians are waiting for PDP; they are missing the PDP, they are crying and yearning for PDP because the 16 years of democracy cannot be wasted away”, he said.