Elders, governors, lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, described Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as a traitor.
They said in Abuja in a communique issued after a meeting of stakeholders of the party: “We are not, at all, deceived by the supposed olive branch being offered by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, knowing that the only thing that can come from traitors of his ilk is nothing but a poisoned chalice and a Greek gift”.
While supporting the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi, they vowed to upturn the decision of the Court of Appeal, declaring Sheriff as the Chairman of the leader, at the Supreme Court.
Below is the communique:
“Following the repugnant attempt by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif and other undemocratic forces to undermine and take over the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Convention of the party held at Port Harcourt on the 21st day of May 2016 dissolved the then National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee and replaced the National Working Committee with a 7-member National Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Chairman and Sen. Ben Obi as Secretary with a mandate to run the party and organize an elective National Convention as soon as practicable;
“The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in FHC/PH/CS/524/2016 PDP & ORS. Vs. SHERRIF & ORS in its judgment endorsed the decisions of the 21st May 2016 National Convention, holding that the Convention did not violate any extant Order of the Courts or any provisions of the Party’s or Country’s Constitution.
“On the 17th February 2017, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt in a split decision in CA/PH/349/2016 SHERRIF & ORS. VS. PDP & ORS. nullified the decision of the National Convention of 21st May 2016 and reinstated the Sherrif-led National Working Committee;
“While the party holds the judiciary in the highest regard, the decision of the aforementioned Court of Appeal was greeted with consternation not only amongst leaders and members of the party in Nigeria but also true lovers of democracy in Nigeria and the world over;
“Moved by the outpour of anxiety and rage over the decision of the Court of Appeal, stakeholders and leaders of the party ranging from the Board of Trustees, Governor’s forum, National Assembly Members, former PDP Ministers forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Chapters represented by the Conference of State Party Chairmen, Leadership of State Assembly Caucuses and other major stakeholders assembled in Abuja on the 20th day of February 2017 to examine and review the state of the party following the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“NOW THEN, the stakeholders and leaders of the party aforestated firmly and unequivocally resolve as follows:
“That the Peoples Democratic Party is united, strong, resolute, steadfast and solid under the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee in view of the fact that the Court of Appeal is not the final court on the matter. All members, leaders and organs of the party, including but not limited to the Board of Trustees, the Governor’s Forum, the National Assembly Caucus, PDP former Ministers forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Chapters represented by the Conference of State Party Chairmen, Leadership of State Assembly Caucuses and teeming members nationwide, stand resolute that authority to lead the PDP, and indeed any party, solely and exclusively derives from the consent of members at plenary. PDP members freely and clearly expressed themselves on the 21st May 2016 at the Port Harcourt National Convention and we stand by the decision given that the National Convention is the highest decision-making organ of the party.
“That we fully endorse the prompt and proactive decision of the National Caretaker Committee to lodge an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria against the decision of the Court of Appeal as well as filing an application for INJUCTION PENDING APPEAL all of which was done in the morning of Monday 20th February 2017. Our abiding faith in the capacity of the judiciary to protect Nigeria’s democracy and political aspirations of the Nigerian people, particularly at the level of the Supreme Court, proven repeatedly over time, is aided by the profound, fearless, irrepressible, comprehensive and insightful minority decision of T. N. Orji-Abadua, J. C. A. in CA/PH/349/2016 SHERRIF & ORS. VS. PDP & ORS., whom we salute for doing the judiciary proud in spite of the predatory interferences of anti-democratic forces and State actors.
“That having duly filed both an appeal to the Supreme Court and an application for Injunction Pending Appeal in the morning of Monday the 20th February 2017, we pass a resounding and unqualified vote of confidence in the leadership of the Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and pledge our unalloyed support to it as it pilots the affairs of the party in this critical transitional period of the party’s life. To this end, we are not at all deceived by the supposed olive branch being offered by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, knowing that the only thing that can come from traitors of his ilk is nothing but a poisoned chalice and a Greek gift.
“The meeting reiterates that the party’s Constitution stipulates the process of democratically electing officers of the party and therefore emphatically rejects any imposition such as those being illegally paraded as officers of the party by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif.
“That stakeholders and leaders of the party are enjoined to return to their Geopolitical Zones, States, LGA’s and Wards to convene meetings of the party and disseminate the foregoing to members. True Partymen are urged to remain calm, steadfast, loyal even in the face of wanton provocation of sealing off the venue of a peaceful assembly of stakeholders. We remain committed to the ideals of the party which stands us out as democrats.
“That in view of the mismanagement of our economy by the APC-led Federal Government, the decline in investor confidence and massive capital flight leading to the Nigerian currency being the worst performing on the African continent; the dehumanization of Nigerians, the abridgement of fundamental human rights, persecution of political opponents, and the return to the dark days of mindless dictatorship and the reign of fear, all leading to a state of helplessness and hopelessness; the PDP reaffirms its commitment to return Nigeria in 2019 to the path of Economic growth and respect for fundamental human rights as guaranteed by our constitution. A PDP-led Federal Government will remove hunger in the land and restore confidence in the Nigerian economy.
“The meeting agreed to appeal to all Nigerians to fully support the Peoples Democratic Party, a genuinely Democratic Party that is people oriented and a great defender of equity, justice and fairness to all in its commitment to eradicating poverty, hunger and under-development from our country”.
In a related development, Akwa Ibom governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has said PDP will bounce back to power, urging members not to be distracted by the Appeal Court ruling that recognised Sheriff as the authentic Chairman of the party.
Emmanuel, who said the judgement was a temporary setback, noted that it should not dampen the collective will of the people to forge ahead, knowing that something good is about to happen in the PDP.
According to him “when something good is about to happen, there must be hurdle that you must overcome. That judgement is only an hurdle but we will overcome it to reach our destination.
Emmanuel, who was giving his goodwill message in Abuja during the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the party, assured that once the passion is right, nothing is impossible and overcoming whatever hurdle to recapturing power at the centre in 2019 is not an impossibility.
Emmanuel, who called on members of the party to remain resolute, united and committed to the party, said with all members remaining focused, the party was sure to come back to power in 2019.
The Minority Leader of the party in the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the senators have absolute confidence in the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.
He noted that PDP remains the only veritable political platform that Nigerians were waiting for.
According to him “ let me assure you that we stand on the decision taken at the Port Harcourt convention. The convention committee has not been resolved. Nigerians know that PDP is the only veritable political platform to belong to and even the aggrieved members of the APC are waiting to join us while APC as a party is also waiting for us to take over power in 2019”.
It would be recalled that the meeting was hurriedly moved to the residence of the Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum and governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, following the seal off of the International Conference Centre, the original venue for the meeting by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, also commended key organs of the party for supporting the Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC).
He gave the commendation at the PDP National Stakeholders meeting at Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Monday.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu said the solidarity given to the committee amid the party’s leadership tussle showed that “it is not the hood that makes the monk’’.
He said that he was particularly impressed with the commitment of members and organs of the party to the Makarfi committee’s leadership in spite of Friday’s judgement of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt.
On Monday’s sealing of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, earlier announced for the stakeholders’ meeting by security operatives, Ekweremadu said that the act was not only dangerous, but “bad news for the nation’s democracy’’.
“We are not surprised at what we are seeing today, that is sealing of meeting venue. What remains is for us to remain resolute,’’ he said, adding the development signalled rise in political persecution in the country.
“If you look around this room, you will see a lot of people who are being harassed, persecuted and taken to court.’’
Ekweremadu urged party members to remain resolute and protect the soul of the PDP and the nation’s hard-won democracy.
He said, “the party leaders were made by the party faithful and could never be imposed from the outside.
“We have heard there was a judgement in Port Harcourt. Now, those who benefitted from the judgement, where are they?
“Are they with our former ministers? Are they with our National Assembly members? Are they with our governors?
“Which organs of the party are they with or is with them? The truth is that it is not the hood that makes the monk.
“I believe that with determination and sticking together, we will triumph and Nigeria will be better for it.’’
