The war of attrition between the Ahmed Makarfi-led
Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic
Party and the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led group
shows little sign of abating.
Findings by The PUNCH, in Abuja, on Sunday
indicated that none of the two sides appeared
willing to nominate members to serve on the Peace
Committee.
indicated that none of the two sides appeared
willing to nominate members to serve on the Peace
Committee.
The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase,
had after a meeting with both men in his office on
Friday suggested the setting up of the committee.
It was suggested that each of the groups should
submit the names of four persons to serve on the
committee.
Our correspondent gathered that hardliners in both
camps were insisting that to accede to the
suggestion of the IGP would be akin to accepting
defeat.
Our correspondent gathered that when the issue
was brought up by members of the Makarfi-led
committee, stakeholders within the group resisted.
A source sympathetic to Makarfi’s cause who
pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the
matter said, “It was rejected outright. How can we
who enjoy the backing of more than 99.99 per cent
of our party members negotiate our mandate? The
people who brought Sheriff in the first place have
come out to say go, your tenure has expired thank
you but he wants to stay put you want us to
negotiate on what terms?”
A former PDP National Vice Chairman (South
South), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, said if the law was the
basis of the argument, Sheriff should be the party
chairman because an Abuja High Court whose
ruling had neither been appealed or vacated
“pronounced him chairman till 2018.”
Ojougboh however said all stakeholders especially
the dramatis personae must be prepared to make
concessions if the crisis must be resolved in the
interest of the party.
He said, “I have always said no one can take it all.
All of our members be they the concerned members
led by Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jerry Gana and Ibrahim
Mantu must be part of the solution to our
problems.
“The governors’ group led by Makarfi now, must
be part of the solution; the Sheriff group must be
part of it.”
The spokesman for the Makarfi-led committee,
Dapo Adeyeye, said the committee was not aversed
to peace but that the committee needed to consult
widely before knowing its next move on the issue.
“We are consulting. Remember, all the
constitutionally-recognised organs of the party
including the BoT, the Caucus, and our governors
and so on set up this committee and we were
given a mandate.”
Speaking on the issue, Sheriff’s Media Adviser,
Inuwa Bwala said, “We have not submitted any
names. While we welcome all party members who
are ready to work with us to rebuild the party,
Sheriff is one man who holds the rule of law in high
regards.”
