There might soon be real battle in the Peoples Democratic Party as it has emerged that the acting National Chairman of the Party has refused to follow instructions by the party's National Executive Committee.
Peoples Democratic Party Acting National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff
There could be intense battle for the soul of Peoples Democratic Party as its acting National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has totally refused to follow the directive given to him and the members of the National Working Committee by the party’s National Executive Committee.
Sheriff was mandated at its last meeting on March 7, to set up a committee that would determine the zoning formula to be adopted by the party as it prepares for its national convention slated for May 21 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Other committees, which Sheriff and members of his NWC were asked to set up immediately, included the National Convention Committee, Reconciliation Committee, Zoning Committee and Finance Committee.
According to Punch, instead of setting up these committees, the Sheriff-led NWC had begun moves to either prolong the members’ stay in office or predetermine the works of the committees, especially the one on zoning.
It is alleged that he has started visiting those described as power brokers in the party to sell the idea of the North retaining the office beyond May 21 to them. He had visited Mimiko and Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose for their support.
Fayose was listed as the brains behind the emergence of Sheriff as the PDP helmsman as the Ekiti State governor was said to have sold his candidacy to his colleagues.
However, this is not going well with some members of the party who believe Sheriff is in the party to create discord and as a result, might set the party on fire.
One of the governors of the party from the southern part of the country, while speaking with Punch, wondered why Sheriff would want to force himself in office and refuse to abide by what he described as the “gentleman’s agreement that brought him to power.”
The governor added, “Sheriff spoke with us when he visited Rivers State to campaign for the rerun. He was in Ondo and Ekiti states as well to speak with the governors.
“I just hope that we are able to manage this issue well, because I see the BoT members telling us that they warned us against accepting him.”
Also speaking about the issue, acting Chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, wondered why the PDP national chairman had refused to set up the committees as directed by NEC.
“The committees, especially the zoning committee, have yet to be named. I don’t know what is delaying it. You can ask the chairman of the party,” he said.
It is believed this latest move by Sheriff might be another problem that would make the party go into full war as individual opinions will soon clash because of the man's refusal to follow the agreement he signed.