PDP eyeing solution to leadership crisis as Sheriff, Makarfi sign undertaking to resolve issues
The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party, yesterday signed an undertaking to end the acrimony that torn the party to shreds.
This followed several hours of meeting with Governor of Bayelsa State and chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, Seriake Dickson, in Abuja.
Senator Makarfi was represented by the spokesman for the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye who signed the document on his behalf, while Sheriff was represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Ahmed Gulak who also appended his signature on the document.
The Sheriff-led acting spokesman of the party, Bernard Mikko, also signed the document as well as another chieftain of the party, Dave Iorhemba.
However, Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who was also present at the meeting did not sign the document.
Reading the content of the undertaking to newsmen, a former deputy Senate president, Ibrahim Mantu, said all actors of the party have agreed to desist from making derogatory, inflammatory and divisive statements against party officials, stakeholders and members.
”That the party should not dissipate her energy amongst itself but to focus on how to unite and be a formidable opposition capable of taking over power from the failed APC led government.
“That all key actors in the on-going peace process should henceforth desist from making public press statements attacking each other and statements insinuating negative acts capable of dragging the party to the mud,” Mantu said.
He added that it was agreed that all key actors in the PDP would work together with National Reconciliation Committee led by Governor Seriake Dickson to engender peace and genuine reconciliation.
He was however silent on the pending case at the Supreme Court where Makarfi is challenging the Appeal Court judgement that recongnized Sheriff as the authentic chairman of the party.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, after receiving the report of the Reconciliation Committee from Dickson, also said any attempt by any member of the PDP to go into an “unborn party” will not be a good step.
“We must compromise our differences and remain a party to beat; we are sure the report will pass the test when presented to members of the BoT. What some of us can never do is to leave PDP,” he said.
