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…Sets Up Eight Man Committee To Resolve Protracted Leadership Impasse.
At last respite is in sight for the resolution of the protracted leadership tussle in the People Democratic Party (PDP), as the two warring factions has agreed to a form truce and formed an eight-man Committee to find a lasting solution to the impasse, as the party Secretariat is to remain under lock and key.
The truce brokered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase yesterday in his office is intended to settle the two factions and chart the right course for peace.
The leadership tussle between Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Maikarfi has thrown the party into two factions since the Port Harcourt National Convention in May, that produced the later, through a process that was not as transparent as the former and his supporters expected.
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A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olabisi Kolawole said the police leadership has viewed with great concern the protracted crisis rocking the party, consequent to which IGP Arase “convened a meeting with all Stakeholders in his Abuja office on Friday June 17, 2016, and called for peace among the parties, particularly Senator Ali Modu Sherif and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.”
Kolawole said there was extensive deliberation between the IGP, the two senior party members and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) Lawal Daura, who also attended and reached an agreement to form a committee to resolve the lingering crisis.
The statement said “each of the factions – Sen Ali Modu Sherif’s and Sen Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi’s-led factions agreed to nominate four representatives each, for peace talks to arrive at a harmonized position within one week; while the PDP Secretariat at Wadata House Plaza and Legacy House should be under lock and key pending the outcome of the resolution.”
The IGP appealed to the political leaders to educate their followers on the need for peaceful coexistence and resolution of internal crisis as he sued for peace among the party faithful.
He expressed optimism that the move would bring lasting peace in the party, to avoid breach of public peace.
Several peace initiatives have been explored in the last few weeks, including court orders, all seem to have failed, with some of the Party members last week accusing the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) of sponsoring Sheriff to destroy the party.
The statement said: “While appealing to the politicians to help in educating their followers on the need to act and conduct themselves within the ambit of the law, the IGP said the Force would not relent in its mandate to protect lives and property without fear or favour.
