ABUJA – Olusegun Lawrence The Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of contracting Ali Modu Sheriff and his cohorts to scuttle the chances of the PDP in the Edo Governorship elections.
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff had stormed the PDP secretariat on Monday, accompanied by former National Secretary, Prof. Olawole Oladipo and former National Auditor, Fatai Adeyanju. He later addressed the press, insisting that he remains the PDP National Chairman.
But, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the Caretaker Committee spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye, said “We have credible intelligence that Sheriff had a meeting on Sunday night with an APC Governor from North West, where it was agreed that he will be given a full security and financial support to exacerbate the crisis in the PDP with the objective of preventing the PDP from presenting a candidate for the Edo State Governorship elections, or in the very least to prevent the PDP from offering a serious challenge to APC whose electoral fortunes has continued to nosedive.”
He however assured the party’s teeming supporters in Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general that the Party will take all necessary measures to prevent the Party from being hijacked by political merchants.
Adeyeye noted that the process for the elections of the PDP Governorship candidate in Edo State commenced on Monday with the peaceful and successful conduct of the Ward congresses for the elections of three Ad-Hoc delegates.
He therefore, urged Party officials who are involved in the conduct of the remaining exercise to remain focus and dedicated to their responsibilities.
“We are determined to produce a credible and a strong candidate who by the grace of God will win the Edo Governorship election, the Caretaker Committee assured.
He dismissed as false, Senator Sheriff’s claim that he had a court order that empowered him to continue as National Chairman of the PDP.
According to him, “Despite his bravado he did not display or make available the Court Order to the gentlemen of the press.
“The truth of the matter is that Senator Sheriff has no court order to back his claims. He and his cohorts continue to shop around to buy any court order at any price, but so far, they have not succeeded, thanks to the vigilance and integrity of the Judiciary.
“Senator Ali Sheriff was appointed not elected by the National Executive Committee of our great Party to complete the tenure of Alhaji Adamu Muazu. The tenure of Alhaji Adamu Muazu legally would have ended on the 14th of February, 2016.
“Senator Ali Sheriff was given an extension of three months by the NEC of our Party to organize a National Convention. The appointment of Senator Sheriff was not ratified by any National Convention of our Party. So, constitutionally, he has no other mandate which can extend beyond 21st May, 2016.
Adeyeye said, “The National Caretaker is not distracted by the activities of the fifth columnist in the Party. We remain very focus on the assignment and the mandate given to us at the National Convention held in Port Harcourt.
“With the continued support of all Party members, we shall surely deliver on those mandates and together build the Party of our dreams.”
