Borno PDP backs Makarfi as Ondo opposes peace with Sheriff

Party moves to sack A’Ibom senator for joining APC
A delegation of the Borno State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday paid a solidarity visit to the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee in Abuja.

Led by Usman Danjuma Ibrahim, the delegation visited on the platform of the Borno State PDP Concerned Grassroots Stakeholders.

He said the “party members have been under various threats, inducement and intimidation by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

Danjuma explained: “Modu-Sheriff installed a state executive for them to leave the party, but we decided to remain firm due to the love we have for the party.”

The group urged the PDP to find an amicable solution to the crisis while awaiting the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Responding, Makarfi said they were “opened to a political resolution provided it is genuine, sincere, comprehensive, democratic and legally watertight.

“It is not a surrender of the party in an undemocratic manner to anybody including myself. It is not just about Modu-Sheriff, it could be anybody. We will not submit this party in an undemocratic manner to anybody.”

He explained that the Appeal Court’s ruling that said the party should maintain the status quo before May 26, 2016, did not specifically mention Modu-Sheriff as the chairman.

Also, the Ondo State chapter of the party yesterday pitched its tent with the Makarfi’s faction.

At a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the leaders, who included a national official of the party, Olabode George and South West Chairman, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, ruled out any reconciliation with the Modu-Sheriff’s faction.

The party’s governorship aspirant in the last election, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, Prof. Olu Agbi, Segun Adegoke, Saka Lawal attended the meeting.

A communiqué by the party state Chairman, Clement Faboyede and Secreatry, Oyedele Ibini also dismissed any possibility of reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the party yesterday asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to sack the senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Nelson Asuquo Effiong, for defecting to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The PDP, alongside 15 other chieftains of the party in the state, through their counsel, G.A Umoh, asked the court to declare that Effiong has lost his membership with effect from January 19, 2017, pursuant to Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution.