Finally, Sheriff, Makarfi agree to work for peace in PDP.

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be over soon. This followed the agreement reached by the two factions after a meeting yesterday to halt all forms of hostilities against each other.

The meeting, which was called by the chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee and Governor of Bayelsa State Seriake Dickson, also resolved that the party must focus on to how to form a formidable opposition.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting, which was attended by the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee and the Ali Modu Sheriff’s group reads: “That all the actors should desist from making derogatory, inflammatory and divisive statements against party officials, stakeholders and members.
“That the party should not dissipate its energy amongst itself but to focus on how to unite and be a formidable opposition, capable of taking over power from the failed All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.”The statement further stated that all key actors in the on-going peace process should henceforth desist from making public statements attacking each other and statements, or insinuating negative acts that were capable of dragging the party to the mud.

“The PDP has agreed to work together with the National Reconciliation Committee led by Dickson to engender peace and genuine reconciliation,” the statement added. The communiqué was signed by the spokesperson of the national caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye and former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak.

Both Modu-Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi were absent from the meeting, but some of their loyalists, among them Modu-Sheriff’s deputy, Cairo Ojougbo and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin attended.

Jibrin promised to convene a meeting of the trustees soon to consider the report. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has fixed May 4, for the hearing of an objection filed against the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP.

The Modu-Sheriff’s faction of the party had filed two separate motions at the apex court, challenging the competence of the Makarfi’s appeal against the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

But the Makarfi faction, through its counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi filed a counter-affidavit praying the court to discountenance the other faction’s two motions and allow the main appeal to be heard meritoriously.

Source: The Guardian

No vacancy at PDP national secretariat – Makarfi

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Ahmed Makarfi, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that there is no vacancy at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja.

Mr. Makari stated this in a statement by the committee’s Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the attention of the caretaker committee had been drawn to some newspaper publication titled, “Vacancies in the PDP National Secretariat”.

He said the report was credited to Wale Oladipo, National Secretary of the Modu Sheriff-led PDP, who advertised for various offices in the PDP secretariat, declaring them vacant.

“We wish to state unequivocally that there are no vacancies for employment at the National Secretariat of our great party, PDP.

“All the staffers of the party, in line with the Establishment Manual, are intact and standing strong with all the organs of the PDP in its bid to salvage the party from destroyers,’’ Mr. Makarfi said.

He said it was sad to note that Mr. Oladipo was ignorant of the workings of the PDP’s Establishment Manual.

Mr. Makarfi said Mr. Oladipo was ignorant of the position of the recent Appeal Court judgment of Feb, 17, which ordered PDP to revert to the status quo before May 21, 2016.

He described the publication as a ploy by Mr. Sheriff and his “cohorts” to disengage the establishment staff of the party for acting in line with their constitutional mandate and convictions.

“The vexatious publication is a cheap blackmail designed to intimidate our hardworking and highly principled staff. It belongs to the trash bin and should be ignored.

“Nigerians, our members and teeming supporters may wish to note that the self-appointed National Working Committee as currently constituted under Sheriff cannot form a quorum to take any valid decision.

“Unless Senator Ali Sheriff complies with the Appeal Court ruling of status quo ante of May 21, 2016, any decision taken by the present illegal NWC is not binding and will be challenged before the court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said.

Mr. Makarfi said though the Court of Appeal judgment was for Mr. Sheriff and his group, the National Caretaker Committee was still in full operation given that its appeal against the judgment was before the Supreme Court.

“This is more so that the Committee still enjoys the support of the entire organs of the party,” it said.

He stated that the action of Mr. Sheriff and his NWC in recent times were completely against the spirit of the political solution they have professed to abide with.

He said Mr. Sheriff could not be declaring support for political solution to end the party leadership crisis and at the same time igniting fire by taking decisions capable of causing more rancour in PDP.

“As law-abiding party members and citizens of this great country, we shall continue to work with all the organs of PDP to make sure that this crisis is fully resolved,” Mr. Makarfi said.

Source: Premium Times

Fayose is a huge shame to the PDP – Sheriff faction

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West region have rekindled the crisis rocking the party and the controversies over who controls the party leadership structure following a meeting called by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Monday.

Mr. Fayose convened a meeting of some leaders of the Ahmed Makarfi group in Ado-Ekiti, where it resolved to reject Ali Modu Sherif’s leadership of the party, and to back a Supreme Court appeal to set aside the Appeal Court judgment recognising Mr. Sheriff.

Mr. Fayose also used to occasion to disparage Mr. Sheriff, describing him as an impostor who pretends to lead the PDP, but hobnobs with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

“To me, the PDP is one under Ahmed Makarfi. I want you to be speaking out against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, nobody can kill you,” Mr. Fayose had said.

“They said the PDP people are corrupt, but if you look critically, the PDP are mere petty thieves while APC members are super robbers. They are only interested in destroying and oppressing our members while the people groan in sufferings. Today, the country is under emergency situation.

“They said we should use political means to settle our differences, let me say that even if we reconcile there are some people I can’t be in the same party with. They are dirty and people like us can’t associate with them.”

But the regional PDP loyal to Mr. Sheriff condemned the meeting of the Makarfi faction held in Ekiti State on Monday, at the behest of Mr. Fayose.

The group in a statement by its Vice Chairman, South West, Makanjuola Ogundipe, said Mr. Fayose lacked the powers to call such a meeting.

He said Mr. Fayose was “the big shame” bedeviling the PDP family, especially in the South West.

“Fayose’s action in summoning a meeting he lacks the right to call at a time when well-meaning leaders and elders are calling for restraint and reconciliation is most despicable,” Mr. Ogundipe said.

“Otherwise, how do we describe his action and utterances under the guise of a non-existent and illegal South West PDP leaders forum?

“In what capacity did he call the meeting of South West PDP leaders? Can a Governor call a zonal PDP leaders meeting? Has he been able to call a full meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum which he purports to lead?

“We thank God that most of the respectable leaders of our party in the South West shunned the illegal gathering.”

He said the governor had become a slave to his ambition, and so attempts to destroy a solid and responsible institution like the PDP.

“At the height of his executive rascality, Fayose would throw every rule of the game to the rubbish bag as long as he continues to dwell in his fool’s Paradise,” Mr. Ogundipe further stated.

“He denigrates the judiciary when a judgment or ruling does not favour. Yet, this same funny character seeks succour from the same institution that he vilifies with reckless abandon. It is only an unbalanced character that switches like this.

He called on leaders and elders of the party not to allow Mr. Fayose to do further havoc to the party before he takes his imminent exit.

“PDP is a party built on the rule of law. Therefore, all well-meaning and law-abiding leaders and members should not allow an impostor to destroy its fortunes,” he added.

Source: Premium Times

JUST IN: Anti-Sheriff Protesters Storm PDP Secretariat

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Some protesters loyal to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi Caretaker Committee, have stormed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, calling on the police to stop the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, from entering the secretariat.

The Spokesperson to the Ahmed Makarfi group, Dayo Adeyeye, at a press conference, also asked the police to stop the national chairman from accessing the party’s secretariat.

Senator Sheriff moved into the national secretariat of the PDP on Friday, relying on the Court of Appeal judgement that declared him as the authentic chairman of the party.

He said the reopening of the party’s secretariat would enable him and the National Working Committee to work towards returning the party to its status in 1999.

The group of Makarfi loyalists, have however insisted that the national chairman must wait for the supreme court judgement over who should actually be the party’s chairman.

Meanwhile, the National Deputy Chairman of the (PDP) Mr Kairo Ojougbo, has described both the protests and the call to stop Sheriff as illegal.

The secretariat was reopened on Friday, exactly nine months after it was sealed by the police.

For almost two years, the battle for the soul of the PDP has raged on, defying every seeming solution proffered by its members.

In 2016, PDP had described the Sheriff-led faction of the party as agents of darkness, insisting that the former Governor of Borno State was not the Chairman of the party.

Even after the ruling by the court in Port-Hacourt, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, described the reinstatement of Senator Sheriff as a rape of democracy.

Source: Channels TV

Vacate PDP secretariat now, Makarfi faction orders Sheriff

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Sacked National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has asked the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to vacate the party’s national secretariat immediately.

He said Sheriff, who was declared the authentic national chairman of the PDP by the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, should wait until the Supreme Court makes its own pronouncement on the matter.

The spokesperson for the faction, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, accused the Police of favouring the former governor of Borno State in the crisis.

Adeyeye, a former minister of state for works, said that Sheriff must leave the secretariat in order to avoid breakdown of law and order.

Makarfi’s PDP accuses Police of taking sides with Sheriff.

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the police of taking sides with Ali Modu Sheriff, whom the appeal court declared national chairman of the party.

Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the faction, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Last Monday, the police stopped the faction from holding a meeting at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

At the news conference, Adeyeye urged the police not to give Sheriff access to the PDP national secretariat because an appeal had been filed at the supreme court against the judgment of a lower court declaring him chairman.

“Now that the party led by the national caretaker committee has filled appeal against the recent judgment, the status quo ante remains until the determination of the appeal to the supreme court,” he said.

“In the light of the above, we are calling on the police and the general public and lovers of peace and democracy to ask Senator Sheriff and Co to respect the on-going litigation processes. The police should ensure that Sheriff and Co do not occupy the national secretariat in order to avoid breakdown of law and order. We have noticed that the police have taken sides in this matter perhaps because of directives of the APC but a stitch in time saves nine.”

The PDP faction again blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the crisis in the party.

“We have stated several times that the APC has its hand deep in the PDP crises. There is no doubt that Sheriff’s activities against the PDP are being aided and abated by the APC,” it said.

Source: The Cable

Send Sheriff out of secretariat to prevent chaos, Makarfi’s PDP tells police.

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Ali Modu Sheriff, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken over the Wadata Plaza headquarters of the opposition party, which had been shut since May.

The police sealed off the place to prevent a clash between Sheriff’s group and that of Ahmed Makarfi.

But late Thursday, Sheriff’s supporters reportedly broke into the place to pave way for his entry.

Reacting, Makarfi’s faction asked the police to “flush out” Sheriff and his supporters, wondering how the factional leader had access to the place when the keys were with the party’s board of trustees (BoT).

Threatening to hold Sheriff responsible for any loss of document at the secretariat, Makarfi said Sheriff should have waited till the case was concluded at the supreme court before taking over the secretariat.

“We also call on authority of the Nigerian Police to prevent chaos by flushing Ali Modu Sheriff and his team out of the PDP secretariat and let all parties wait for the judgement of the supreme court which is the highest court in the land,” read a statement signed by Dayo Adeyey, spokesman of the Makarfi group.

“The take over of the secretariat of the party by Senator Modu Sheriff is illegal and most unwelcome. Sheriff should be held responsible for any lose of party document and property.

“We say this because the keys to the secretariat is with the board of trustees and we’ve checked with them, and can confirm that the keys were not handed over to Sheriff or any of his followers

“The implication of this is that he broke into the secretariat which is a criminal offence. We condemn his action in totality and we view it as an affront on the rule of law. Given his act of illegality, we stated clearly that he should be held responsible for any loss of documents or damage to the property within the party secretariat.

“The administrative staff as accounting officers were not around to see the event happen, as the custodians of the property of the party, they refused to participate in the illegal entry made by Modu Sheriff.”

The Makarfi faction said Sheriff’s action was capable of causing another round of crisis in the party.

Source: The Cable

Makarfi furious as Sheriff takes over PDP secretariat

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The police yesterday reopened the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for National Chairman Ali Modu Sheriff.

But that seemed to have escalated the main opposition party’s leadership crisis. The Ahmed Makarfi faction called on the police to flush out Sheriff. He should wait for the legal battle for the party’s control to end, the faction said.

Sheriff, accompanied by some members of his National Working Committee (NWC) and a retinue of aides and supporters, arrived at the secretariat at 6pm.

With him were Senator Buruji Kashamu; Deputy National Chairman Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo and National Auditor Adewole Adeyanju.

Sheriff went straight to his office where he spent about 15 minutes. It was dusty.

He said he only came to access the situation. He plans to resume work on Tuesday.

”We came to see what renovation and cleaning to be done. While that is going on, we will continue with our consultation. We will do everything humanly possible to ensure that nobody is victimised for holding different opinions,” Sheriff said.

He reiterated his resolve to take the party back to the people at the grassroots, adding that “it is not enough for some people to sit in Abuja here and say they want to choose party leaders for the people in the village”.

The secretariat was sealed off in June 2015, at the peak of a fierce leadership tussle between Sheriff and the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.

All the critical organs of the party had taken sides with the Makarfi committee and the combatants fought from one court to the other for the control of the party.

However, the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal last Friday, pronounced Sheriff the authentic chairman of the party.

The Makarfi camp has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the appellate court.

It yesterday accused Sheriff of entering the secretariat “illegally”.

A statement by the spokesman of the Makarfi faction, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said:

“As far as we are concerned, the forcible entry of Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team into the party secretariat is illegal and most unwelcomed.

“We say this because the keys to the secretariat are with the Board of Trustees (BoT) and we have checked with them, and can confirm that the keys were not handed over to Sheriff or any of his followers.

“The implication of this was that he broke into the secretariat which is a criminal offence.

“We also expected that Modu-Sheriff should have waited for the conclusion of the appeal we filed at the Supreme Court before he forced himself in just like we held on when we got court judgement favouring us last year.

“We are condemning his action in totality and we view it as an affront on the rule of law.

“Given his act of illegality, we stated clearly that he should be held responsible for any loss of documents or damage to the property within the party secretariat.

“The administrative staff as accounting officers, were not around to see the event happen, and as the custodians of the property of the party, they refused to participate in the illegal entry made by Ali Modu-Sheriff.

“His action is provocative and is capable of causing another round of crisis in the party.

“We advise him in his own interest, to vacate the secretariat immediately.

“We also call on authorities of the Nigerian Police to prevent chaos by flushing Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team out of the PDP secretariat and let all parties wait for the judgement of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land.”

JUST IN: Ali Modu Sheriff re-opens PDP national secretariat

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Ali-Modu Sheriff, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday re-opened the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza.

The party’s secretariat had been under lock and key since May, 2016 after its National Convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Mr. Sheriff, who arrived the party secretariat at about 6 p.m, informed journalists that he was at the premises to inspect the level of repairs to be done at the secretariat.

?“We are here at the National Secretariat this evening to access the place so that we can resume either Monday or Tuesday. We will go round to access the kind of repairs to be done.

“We will get our painters and cleaners over the weekend to work on it, and while they are doing so, we will continue with our consultations just like we have been doing since the judgment was delivered,” he said.

Mr. Sheriff, who was on February 17 confirmed by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt as the authentic PDP Chairman, had promised to re-open the secretariat latest by Friday.

Those who accompanied Mr. Sheriff to the secretariat include the Acting Deputy National Chairman, Cairo Ojougboh, National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, National Auditor, Buruji Kashamu, and Ahmed Gulak among others.

Meanwhile, Dayo Adeyeye, the Publicity Secretary of the party’s factional National Caretaker Committee, led by Ahmed Makarfi, has described Mr. Sheriff’s action as illegal.

“As far as we are concerned, the forceful entry of Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team into the party secretariat is illegal and most unwelcomed.

“We say this because the keys to the secretariat are with the Board of Trustees and we’ve checked with them, and can confirm that the keys have not been handed over to Sheriff or any of his followers.

“The implication of this is that he broke into the secretariat which is a criminal offence.

“We also expected that Sheriff should have waited for the conclusion of the Appeal we filed at the Supreme Court before he forced himself in just like we held on when we got court judgment favouring us last year.’’

According to him, “we are condemning his action in totality and we view it as an affront on the rule of law.”

Mr. Adeyeye added that Mr. Sheriff should be held responsible for any loss of documents or damage to the property within the party secretariat.

“The administrative members of staff as accounting officers were not around to see the event happen, and as the custodians of the party’s property, they refused to participate in the illegal entry made by Ali-Modu Sheriff.’’

He advised Mr. Sheriff to vacate the secretariat immediately in his own interest.

“We also call on authority of the Nigerian Police to prevent chaos by flushing Sheriff and his team out of the PDP secretariat.

“Let all parties wait for the judgment of the Supreme Court which is the highest court in the land.’’

Source: NAN

We do not know about Sheriff’s planned convention – Makarfi

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said it is unaware of plans by the National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, to hold a national convention to elect new leaders.

On Wednesday, Sheriff revealed that he will step down from his position after a national convention.

He pleaded with Governors and other stakeholders to let peace reign in PDP until then. He however did not state the date and venue for the convention.

“In the name of God, let’s re-build this party. Don’t divide the party. Let everybody unite in order to rebuild the party. I beg Fayose to respect PDP and the people of Nigeria. I beg him. Whatever you say today, posterity will judge you, so I beg him. ?Let’s tell Nigerians that our party is for all.

“I am not going to be chairman forever. I will leave office after the convention. We will do a credible convention. Whoever is against me should wait until after the convention,” Sheriff said.

Reacting to Sheriff’s statement, spokesman to Makarfi’s camp, Dayo Adeyeye told the Nation: “What convention and what is the time and date for the convention?”

Adeyeye, however, urged party members to remain law abiding and not to do anything that will deepen the crisis within the party.

Source: DailyPost

Ali Modu Sherrif’s victory, an end to the impunity of APC – Lagos PDP chairman

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Segun Adewale, Lagos state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the victory of Ali Modu Sherrif at the appeal court as a precursor to the end of the “impunity” of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Friday, a court of appeal in Port Harcourt declared Sheriff as the legitimate national chairman of the party.

Ahmed Makarfi and Sheriff factions of the party have tested their claim to the leadership of PDP in courts in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, resulting in contradictory court orders.

In a statement issued on Monday, Adewale said the ruling of the court will afford the party the opportunity to reunite and form a formidable force ahead of the 2019 general election.

“The affirmation of Sen Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the PDP is not just a victory to those of us that believes in his leadership but a victory to the grassroots members of the PDP that now have a voice,” Adewale said.

“It is also a victory to our democratic institutions, the rebirth of a formidable opposition which will definitely engender the delivery of good governance and bring end to the impunity of the ruling APC government.”

He congratulated Sherrif, referring to him as the hope of the common man in the party.

Adewale added that Nigerians were looking up to the PDP to save them from the current economic crisis plaguing the nation.

“This victory by all intent and purpose signals an end to the era of impunity, disregard to our party constitution and blatant egocentric behaviour of some individuals that have virtually turned the party into their private estate. All these clogs in the wheels of progress of our great party is what Senator Sheriff seeks to end and that is what this victory has ensured,” Adewale said.

“It is crystal clear that Nigerians are anxiously looking up to the Peoples Democratic Party for solutions to the present economic holocausts ravaging the nation. Nigerians are regretting the monumental error of voting a visionless party into power, a party that has subjected Nigerians to an unprecedented hunger.

“Let me use this golden opportunity to appreciate immensely the relentless effort and passion of senator Ali Modu Sheriff towards securing an enduring future for ordinary members of our party. Without doubt, his resolve to ensure grassroots participation in decision making within the party is the most assured way of building an enduring political party structure.

“Without any fear of contradiction, APC has failed Nigerians woefully, posterity will therefore not forgive us, as the last hope of a common man if we fail to bury our differences and rise up collectively to the challenges of rescuing the nation from this APC confusion.

“The nation is in serious danger if left in the hands of these incompetent politicians that are obviously mismanaging our common heritage.”

Makarfi has rejected the ruling of the appeal court, vowing to file an appeal at the supreme court.

Source: The Cable

Makarfi’s PDP faction rejects Sheriff, says APC wants one-party state.

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its loss of the party’s leadership to Ali Modu Sheriff.

On Friday, the Port Harcourt division of the appeal court declared Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the PDP.

But the Makarfi faction has rejected the decision of the court, vowing to challenge it at the supreme court.

In a tweet on Friday, the PDP faction alleged that the judgment of the appeal court showed that the APC was out to create a one-party state.

1. Two out of the 3 man Justices of the Appeal Court gave a scanty judgment in favour of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff while one for Makarfi

— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) February 17, 2017

2. The Judgment has finally shown that the ruling Party, the APC is out to create a one party state in the country.

— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) February 17, 2017

3. The Party is proceeding immediately to the Supreme Court to file an appeal against the ruling of today's appeal court judgment

— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) February 17, 2017

Makarfi sues 22 people for ‘trespassing’ on his land

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Ahmed Makarfi, caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday took one Isa Abdullahi and 21 members of Kada-Kada village in Kudan local government area of Kaduna state to an Upper Sharia court in Zaria over alleged trespass.

Ahmad Yunus-Abdullahi, counsel to the plaintiff, filed the case through a direct complaint. He said his client was in court to seek justice.

Yunus-Abdullahi alleged that the defendants trespassed into a farmland located at Kada-Kada village, which he claimed belonged to him.

However, counsel to defendants, Ahmad Haruna-Danmaigauta, said they were deceived that it was the Kaduna state government that purchased the land from them.

According to Haruna-Danmaigauta, more than 50 people are cultivating the land in question annually.

He insisted that the presence of the complainant in court was absolutely necessary.

Haruna-Danmaigauta said that section 162 of the Sharia criminal procedure code of the state averred that a case would not be entertained in the absence of the plaintiff.

“In view of this, there is every need for Sen. Makarfi to be in court because his presence is absolutely necessary,” he said.

Counsel to Makarfi argued that his client would not be able to be in court because of his tight schedules, but that he had a representation.

Mustapha Umar, the presiding judge, adjourned the case till February 5, to rule on the matter.

Nostalgia? Bukola Saraki, Ali-Modu Sheriff hold secret meeting.

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Senate President Bukola Saraki held a private meeting with Ali Modu-Sheriff, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday.

According to PUNCH, the meeting, which lasted for a little over 20 minutes, held at an enclosure within the International Conference Centre complex, Abuja.

Saraki was said to have made his way into the complex at about 7:30pm and left around 7:51pm.

Although details of the meeting were not made public, it could be about political re-alignments ahead of the 2019 general election.

When the newspaper contacted Chucks Okocha, special assistant to the senate president (print media), said while it was true that his boss met with Sheriff, it had nothing to do with politics.

“My principal only went to felicitate with the Sheriffs over the wedding of their daughter,” he reportedly said.

“The Sarakis and the Sheriffs have been family friends for over 20 years.

“There is nothing usual about them sharing moments of joy such as weddings. It was just a social visit and that is what it is.”

The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP has accused Sheriff of working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which Saraki belongs to.

Appeal Court Adjourns Case On PDP Leadership Crisis Indefinitely

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Thursday, adjourned sine-die (indefinitely), hearing on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. A three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa suspended hearing on the matter to await the outcome of a related case pending before the Port Harcourt Division of the Court.

The decision followed a motion that was filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party. The group had through their counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, urged the appellate court panel to temporarily hands-off the suit filed by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led faction of the party. They based their request on the fact that the court in Port Harcourt had already heard the matter before it and reserved its judgment.

The three pending appeals that were put on hold by the Justice Saulawa-led panel on Thursday were marked CA/A/402/2016; CA/A/402A/2016 and CA/A/402D/M/2016. The appellants are basically challenging a verdict that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on June 30, which recognised Sheriff as National Chairman of the Party.

Justice Abang had in the said judgement, maintained that Sheriff has the authority to take decisions for the party, including briefing of lawyers to represent the interest of the PDP in court. Whereas the Sheriff-led faction was in the three appeals, sued as the 1st and 2nd respondents in the appeal by two chieftains of the party in Ondo and Edo states, Chief Benson Akingboye and Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, respectively. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was cited as the 3rd respondent in the three appeals.

“PDP will win in 2019, but I won’t tell you how” – Makarfi

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, has expressed confidence that the party will win the 2019 presidential election.

Makarfi said the secret on how to achieve the victory would not be divulged.

In an interview, during which he addressed various issues ranging from last weekend’s Ondo State governorship election to the rebranding of the party, Makarfi said he was not worried by last week’s defection of Idris Umar, a former minister, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), or that of other members elsewhere.

“Since he left as minister, I have never known Umar, who defected to the APC, to have participated in anything concerning the PDP.

“There are those who we know (defectors from Ondo State) are one leg here and one leg there. We are not surprised. I am also not surprised at any movement now. It is the movement in 2018 that will bother me. Look, go back to the PDP when it was in power. During the first and second years, there were people coming. But when did the movement that brought the party down occur?

“We should not forget history. There are those who want to join or associate with the central government. They are like the chameleon; they keep on changing colours. The political movement from one party to another that should bother anyone is the movement in the last 12 months before an election. That should bother anybody, and it is yet to come,” he said.

Despite losing the Ondo State election to APC, Makarfi, said the future holds big things for his party.

“The future of the PDP is very bright.

“We know that it’s not going to be an easy task. We are passing through the worst period you can ever think of, but we will recover,” Makarfi promised.

He also revealed that the PDP was hopeful of winning the Ondo State governorship election in court, having seen the election awarded to APC.

“Well, Edo State, to me, was manipulated and taken away. That is why we are at the tribunal, and we believe that if good work is done by our counsel at the tribunal, we will remain above board. We believe we are going to win because we have a new judiciary. It is far more responsive, fair and just. I believe our mandate will return to us.

“When we went to Ondo State, there were factors and room for complaints. Some factors were within the control of stakeholders while some were beyond them. Some were external, which we are much aware of. The internal issue relates to state politics and other issues that are really state-based. I really won’t go into details. On external factors, our candidate was finally cleared two days before the election, and to move around the state in two days to cover grounds was a tall order.

“Again, Independent National Electorla Commission’s (INEC) position that the submitted list of agents was by the party was a problem. The law stated that they were party agents, not candidate’s, hence they were recognised. This prompted a big question: which party? We didn’t submit the list of agents. Those who took us to court, the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff camp, just submitted the list of agents, which INEC accepted.

“Naturally, you wouldn’t expect them to be effective agents because the person they wanted was not the one standing for the election. I think INEC should have considered the recent court judgement and given the party the leeway to change its agents if it so desired, thereby escaping from sharing some blames for virtually lack of representation at the polling units.

“Again, if you look at the video clip being circulated by Jimoh Ibrahim, where he boasted and gave reasons why they went to court, among others, it is clear that it was intended to destabilise the PDP and prevent the candidate from campaigning. So the Modu Sheriff side has spoken, through their candidate, that the reason they were in the race was to prevent the PDP from winning. Even the blind and the dumb can draw a conclusion that very serious anti-party activities took place.

“I was disappointed by the result and what happened; but if you ask me whether I am really bothered as we walk towards 2019, I will tell you I am not. When we had a central government in the PDP, which stand-alone election did we lose? But when the general election came, what happened? So a stand-alone election needs a party with central power to mobilise everything there to come up with a particular result, but when general election comes, you are on your own; there is no gang-up per se. If you are on ground, you are on ground, if you are not, I am sorry.

So no matter the difficulty, we will continue participating in elections, believing that when it comes to general elections, the story will be different.”

Asked why he was that sure of a return to power in 2019, he said: “If I tell you that, it will be like disclosing the secret of the PDP and I won’t do that.”

PDP Will Win In 2019, But …– Makarfi

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, has expressed confidence that the party will win the 2019 presidential election.

Makarfi said the secret on how to achieve the victory would not be divulged.

“Since he left as minister, I have never known Umar, who defected to the APC, to have participated in anything concerning the PDP.

Despite losing the Ondo State election to APC, Makarfi, said the future holds big things for his party.

“The future of the PDP is very bright.

“We know that it’s not going to be an easy task. We are passing through the worst period you can ever think of, but we will recover,” Makarfi promised.

He also revealed that the PDP was hopeful of winning the Ondo State governorship election in court, having seen the election awarded to APC.

So no matter the difficulty, we will continue participating in elections, believing that when it comes to general elections, the story will be different.”

Asked why he was that sure of a return to power in 2019, he said: “If I tell you that, it will be like disclosing the secret of the PDP and I won’t do that.”

Credit:

http://dailytimes.ng/pdp-will-win-2019-makarfi/

Atiku, Tinubu, Makarfi Converge Over Formation Of New Mega-Party

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Barring any last-minute change of plans, the proposed mega opposition party in the country will be formed before the end of March, 2017, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

It was gathered that the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and aggrieved chieftains of the All Progressives Congress had intensified efforts aimed at forming the party since the result of the Ondo State election was released.

Findings showed that besides the plan to form a new mega party, those involved in the talks were also considering adopting any of the existing political parties as their platform.

It was gathered that those who were participating in the talks included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

A PDP chieftain, who confided in Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, said with what happened in Ondo, it had become obvious that the Muhammadu Buhari administration was ready to relinquish power despite the fact that it had no solution to the economic recession in the country.

The source said, “The mega party is still at a formative stage but I can tell you we are making steady progress.

“With what happened in Ondo, you will agree with me that the cabal around the President, including a governor from the North-Central, and some ministers, has hijacked the party structure.

“They have shown more than once that they want to frustrate Tinubu and Atiku out of the APC. These are tested politicians, who have no plans of retiring any time soon.

“The picture will become clearer before the end of the first quarter of next year (March 2017) because some of our people believe that if we come out now, the cabal will use executive powers to frustrate us. Others feel it is better to let Nigerians know but our leaders are meeting at home and abroad. We are waiting for them.”

Investigations showed that those involved in the talks were aware of the Federal Government’s plot to thwart the groups’ plan to form a new mega party, informing the plan of the groups to adopt any of the existing parties and uplift it to a mega status.

A PDP chieftain, who confided in Saturday PUNCH, said, “We are working on the plan to form a mega party, but we may adopt any of the existing parties, if the government thwarts our efforts.”

It was also gathered that the Makarfi faction planned to strengthen its electoral strength in the South-East by entrenching rotational presidency in the constitution of the new party.

A top member of the party, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the group was aware of the plans by the Buhari administration to make an inroad into the South-East in 2019.

The PDP chieftain added, “The South-East and South-South are areas of our strength. We have noticed that the Presidency has been receiving Igbo leaders at the Aso Rock. This is part of the bid to win the zone in 2019.

“We may have to make some concessions to the South-East to truly show that we care for the zone. These will include rotational presidency.”

For Tinubu, it was also gathered that the group was seriously considering the offer of the Makarfi faction to form a mega party.

It was learnt that the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had been reaching out to the Tinubu group on behalf of the faction.

A member of the Tinubu group, who confided in SUNDAY PUNCH, stated, “We do not want to make the mistake we made with Buhari by rushing to support him. We are considering the offer from the PDP faction.”

Besides Tinubu and Atiku, other prominent politicians being targeted by the Makarfi faction include a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankanso; the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and an ex-governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

It was gathered that the Makarfi faction was aware of the desperate move of the President to woo Saraki.

This, it was learnt, was one of the reasons for the Senate President’s recent frequent visits to the President.

“We have not given up on Saraki. He is one of us and we believe he is going to be part of the mega party we will form,” a PDP chieftain stated.

One of our correspondents learnt that the Federal Government had dropped the Senate Order forgery suit against Saraki in order to ensure his loyalty to Buhari.

It was also believed that the Senate President was instrumental to the emergence of former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, as the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party.

“Even the trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal may crumble or never be concluded. It’s all part of the plan to ensure that Saraki does not join the new party to be formed,” a source told one of our correspondents on Saturday.

For Kwankanso, it was gathered that the former governor had almost been pushed out of the APC by his successor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.

“Kwankanso is going to be part of the new arrangement because for now, he is only a fringe member of the APC,” the PDP source added.

Efforts made to get the reaction of the Makarfi faction were unsuccessful as calls made to the telephone of the National Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, were not connected.

Adeyeye, a former minister of state for works, had, however, once denied that the inter-party committee, set up by Makarfi, was given a mandate to change the name of the PDP.

When one of our correspondents contacted the Special Adviser to Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman, he said he was not aware of the plan to form a mega party.

He said, “I am not aware of that development. I am not aware at all.”

On his part, the media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, dismissed insinuations that his principal was considering dumping the APC.

He accused those he referred to as political jobbers and mischief makers of trying to drag the former Vice-President into their baseless conspiracy theory.

“The statement we issued as far back as 2015 on this vexatious speculation is as valid then as it is valid today.

“The same sets of mischief makers are at it again. The Turakin Adamawa has shown in his words and deeds that he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress nothing has changed,” Ibe stated.

The statement, which was issued by the Atiku Media Office, described media reports linking Atiku to a new party, as “lies concocted by some mischief makers who were trying to cause disaffection between the former Vice-President and his party.

Political realignment is ongoing, says Timi Frank

But the suspended Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC, Timi Frank, said, “I can tell you clearly; political re-alignments are going on and people will make their stand known very, very soon. That is all I can tell you for now.”

PDP crisis may delay party formation

It was, however, learnt on Saturday that the factionalisation of the PDP might delay the formation of the mega party.

It was gathered that the two factions of the party, especially the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, were waiting for the outcome of the ongoing factions legal battle to determine the authentic leadership of the former ruling party.

Already, the intra-party committee set up by the Makarfi’s PDP, was said to have met with some aggrieved members of the ruling party..

A member of the committee, who spoke with one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said some of the APC leaders the committee met had agreed to leave the ruling party.

He, however, said those who had agreed to defect from the APC, especially those who left the PDP, said they would not return to the former ruling party, but would be desirous of forming a new party with the PDP.

He said, “We have been meeting with politicians, our former members in the APC and those who were never members of the PDP.

“For strategic reasons, I don’t want to mention their names in order not to jeopardise our ongoing plan.

“Let me however say that majority of them are not willing to join our party. They are suggesting that we form a new party to accommodate all other interest groups. That’s where we are now.”

Asked if that condition would be considered, he said that would be determined after the ongoing case involving the Makarfi and the Ali Modu Sheriff factions was determined.

Impeccable sources said the leadership of the Makarfi faction of the PDP would determine whether to merge with another party if it wins the cases at the courts.

The Sheriff faction, however, accused the Makarfi-led group of working with the APC to destabilise the PDP.

It cited the defection of Senator Yele Omogunwa from the PDP to the APC, which it said was as a result of the ongoing talks between the Sheriff faction and those who defected from the PDP to the APC.

Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, told one of our correspondents that Nigerians should hold the other faction responsible if the party died.

He said, “I saw what Makarfi said in The PUNCH and I must say that the defection could be as a result of the talks they said they are having with those that defected from the PDP to the APC.

“They have told the world that those people would return the PDP. Is this a sign that they are coming?

“These people are killing the PDP and this is why we are in court, to retrieve the party from the grips of its enemies.”

Meanwhile, Senator Buruji Kashamu warned that the crisis rocking the party would linger for a long time.

He said the issue might become what he described as a circus show.

The Senator, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, said the final outcome of the leadership tussle would be determined by the apex court.

He said, “Let us not lose sight of the fact that the appellate court is yet to finally determine the issue of the national leadership crisis. Irrespective of what the High courts say, for or against Senator Ali Modu Sheriff or Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court are still there to adjudicate on the issues, and it could become a circus show.

“Besides, anyone, who is unjustly punished, will not fold his hands and allow his rights to be trampled upon.

“He will do everything legally possible to fight for his rights. And this could result in a series of litigation and create more problems than they are meant to resolve.”

Appeal Court adjourns hearing on PDP leadership crisis

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Abuja Division of the Appeal Court on Thursday adjourned its hearing in the ongoing leadership tussle within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

A three member panel of justices led by Ibrahim Salauwa gave the ruling following an application by counsel to former governor Ali Sheriff faction of the party, Akin Olujimi.

Mr. Olujimi had requested an adjournment by the court to allow the Port Harcourt Division of the appellate court conclude on a similar application.

He prayed the court to allow his application to prevent the emergence of contrasting judgements in the matter.

The counsel representing the Ahmed Makarfi faction, Emmanuel Ukala, opposed the application. Therefore, the appellate court sought a few hours adjournment after which it would listen to the arguments of both parties.

About 6 hours later, Mr. Ibrahim said the court would have to adjourn and fix another date to listen to the arguments.

He acknowledged the efforts of parties for their patience in waiting and said the case had been adjourned till December 15.

While the application at the Abuja Division of the appellate court was filed by Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP; the one filed at the Port Harcourt Division was by Mr. Sheriff.

Mr. Makarfi seeks to upturn the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court which on June 29 declared his emergence as leader of the party a product of impunity.

Mr. Sheriff on his part asked the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt to nullify the judgement by a high court in the state, presided over by Ahmed Liman which validated the national convention where Mr. Makarfi was elected.

The Port Harcourt Division of the court gave no specific date for its next hearing during the last sitting on November 24.

We will NEVER forget Jimoh Ibrahim’s ignoble role in Ondo election – PDP

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has said it would not forget the role Jimoh Ibrahim played in frustrating its campaign in Ondo State and warned Senator Modu Sheriff against posing as the party chairman.

The faction stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, on Tuesday.

“We wish to state categorically that in consonance with Judgment of various Courts, which Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team of confused travelers have not bothered to appeal, the former Borno State Governor is not the Chairman of our Party, the PDP,” the statement said.

“His consistent claim to the Office is a continuation of their plans to sustain mayhem in our Party, but nature and fair justice have taken care of his desperation.”

Based on the judgments, the statement warned that Sheriff and his supporters risked jail terms if he continues to present himself as the leader of the party.

It said, “The Courts have spoken, and their pronouncements are binding. However, those who wish to spend the rest of their lives behind prison bars may continue to utter heresy against the Court.

“We hope their children would be proud to bear the family names of convicts.”

While speaking on Jimoh Ibrahim’s role in the election, the Makarfi faction of the PDP said, “We won’t also forget in a hurry the ignoble role Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim played in scuttling our campaign for the Ondo Election.

“We also know those who pushed him forward for the hatchet job.

“We are amused that the agents of darkness used by the All Progressives Congress to cause confusion and frustrate our campaign for the Ondo Election, can accuse the National Caretaker Committee of impunity.

“However, we simply want them to define what impunity is, using their acts of betrayal as a case study. What they are doing is the worst form of impunity, lawlessness, greed and avarice.”

You Risk Jail Parading Yourself as Chairman – PDP Warns Sheriff

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Staff Reporter

As the supremacy battle in the PDP lingers on, the Ahmed Markarfi led faction has come out with strong words, denouncing Ali Modu Sheriff as the Chairman of the party and threatening him with jail time.

In a signed statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dayo Adeyeye, the continuous claim by Sheriff as the chairman of the party is a continuation of plans to sustain mayhem in the party which was evident in the elections of Edo and Ondo states.

The full statement reads: ” Our attention has been drawn to another set of garbage and tissues of lies put together by the discredited loyalists of Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff in the name of a press statement on Monday, November 28, 2016, wherein, the group tried to sustain it’s illegal claim to the leadership of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The National Caretaker Committee which has been confirmed severally by the Court as the authentic body saddled with the task of providing leadership for the Party pending the hosting of an elective National Convention, would have ignored the ranting of these men of dishonour but leaving them to continue deceiving Nigerians at this time would not be in the interest of democracy.

“First and foremost, we wish to state categorically that in consonance with Judgment of various Courts, which Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team of confused travelers have not bothered to appeal, the former Borno State Governor is not the Chairman of our Party, the PDP. His consistent claim to the Office is a continuation of their plans to sustain mayhem in our Party, but nature and fair justice have taken care of his desperation.

“We wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians to the Judgment delivered by Justice Valentine Ashi of FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja on June 29, 2016, which states clearly that Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff was never and is not the PDP National Chairman; and equally, this Judgment was upheld by the Ruling of Justice Nwamaka Ogbonnaya also of the FCT High Court in Kubwa, Abuja on August 17, 2016.

“It is instructive to note that Senator Modu-Sheriff and his team of circus performers have not deemed it fit to appeal the Court Judgments. It is tripartite in law that a Judgment not appeal is binding on the defendant. The Courts have spoken, and their pronouncements are binding. However, those who wish to spend the rest of their lives behind prison bars may continue to utter heresy against the Court.

“We hope their children would be proud to bear the family names of convicts. It is also morally wrong to accuse the National Caretaker Committee of being the reason why the Party is facing challenges in terms of unfavourable election results especially in Edo and Ondo States. Everyone knows the real enemies of the PDP. We won’t also forget in a hurry the ignoble role Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim played in scuttling our campaign for the Ondo Election.

“We also know those who pushed him forward for the hatchet job. We are amused that the agents of darkness used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cause confusion and frustrate our campaign for the Ondo Election, can accuse the National Caretaker Committee of impunity. However, we simply want them to define what impunity is, using their acts of betrayal as a case study.

“What they are doing is the worst form of impunity, lawlessness, greed and avarice. Their call on the National Caretaker Committee to self disband is uncharitable and unconstitutional. If they have any shame, they are the ones that should quietly disband. But honours can’t be expected from impostors. No matter what they say, we are determined as a political Party to forge ahead and put our house in order even without their inputs.

“The National Caretaker Committee has not called for their expulsion against the claims they are making, the time for that has not come. But the rain of vengeance will not hang forever in the clouds. The National Caretaker Committee wish to appreciate all loyal Party members, urging them to keep the faith as the Appellate Courts will do justice to the various appeals pending before it at the appropriate time; to put an end to the antics of these enemies of progress masquerading as members of our Party”.

Supreme Court Refers Sheriff, Makarfi Dispute Back To Appeal Court.

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court on Thursday referred back to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, all pending cases relating to the dispute over the leadership tussle between the Ali Modu Sheriff an?d Ahmed Makarfi factions of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The appeals which the apex court referred back to the Court of Appeal have to do with questions bordering on which of the factions of the party ?has the authority to instruct lawyers to represent the party in a pending case before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The five-man panel of the ape?x court led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, also, in a separate unanimous ruling, struck out all pending appeals relating to the candidacy of the PDP for the Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

Justice Onnoghen, who read the lead ruling, held that the pending appeals before the apex court had become academic in view of the judgment of the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja delivered on Wednesday, reinstating Eyitayo Jegede as the PDP’s governorship candidate in the Ondo State election.

The Acting CJN informed parties to the appeals on Thursday that the apex court was not ready to hear the cases piecemeal.

He directed that the appellants should raise the issues in their interlocutory appea?ls in when they file substantive appeals which they wish to file against the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on Thursday.

The appellants led by Biyi Poroye are the state executives of the Sheriff faction of the party in the various states in the South-West zone, are backing Jimoh Ibrahim, who was only removed and replaced with Jegede as the party’s governorship candidate in Ondo State by the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja on Wednesday.

The appellants’ lawyer, Mr. Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN), told the apex court on Thursday that he had not been able to file an appeal against the Wednesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal because copies of the judgment had not been ready.

Governor Segun Mimiko addressing the press after the Court of Appeal handed his candidate victory

BREAKING: Jimoh Ibrahim loses in Supreme Court.

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court has struck out all the interlocutory appeals filed by the Ali Sheriff faction of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mr. Sheriff insists he is the authentic chairman of the PDP. However, a Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday declared Ahmed Makarfi the authentic PDP leader.

A PDP aspirant in Ondo, Jimoh Ibrahim, had hoped that the Supreme Court would grant the appeals which would have returned him as the candidate of the party for Saturday’s governorship election.

Mr. Ibrahim was chosen as PDP candidate by the Ali Sheriff faction.

Eyitayo Jegede of the Ahmed Makarfi faction was declared authentic PDP candidate by the Appeal Court on Wednesday.

Details later…

Ondo Election: Jegede’s appeal must be heard – Supreme Court orders Appeal Court

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court has ordered the Appeal Court to continue the hearing of the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, factional governorship candidate in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede.

Recall that Jegede, who is of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction, had filed an appeal before the appellate court, seeking to upturn a Federal High Court ruling which replaced him with businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s candidate in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, on Friday last week adjourned indefinitely the appeal by Jegede.

The Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel explained that it took the decision to adjourn “sine die” to await for the decision of the Supreme Court on interlocutory appeal filed by the respondents.

Makarfi’s group to dump PDP, Sheriff for new party.

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Staff Reporter

As the leadership crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continues to fester, indicators have emerged in the direction that suggest that the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led leadership is planning to abandon the party for Sen Ali Modu Sheriff and his allies for a new party.

It was gathered that the option of leaving PDP for Sheriff is one of the cards on the table for the Makarfi group following the inability of both factions to reconcile.

It was also learnt that the group is leveraging on the continued support it still enjoys from all the major organs of the party to make the exodus that would leave Sheriff with just an empty shell of the party.

However, the deputy national chairman to Sheriff, Cairo Ojougboh, said that the Makarfi group is free to go if they want. Ojougboh who noted that they have been hearing of such moves by Makarfi camp, added that if they exit it would allow for the rebuilding of the party which has been ravaged by acts of impunity.

The leadership crisis rocking the PDP has culminated in the legal dispute over the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo State, a scenario which threatens the chances of the party retaining the state, which it currently governs.

Series of reconciliation attempts have failed as both factions, despite an agreement of its leaders, Makarfi and Sheriff, to resolve their differences and forge a common front.

A PDP source in Makarfi’s camp said admitted that they in Makarfi camp are getting weary of the antics of Sheriff, he added that it was becoming apparent by the day that a reconciliation between both camps won’t happen in the nearest future.

The party source noted that just like in the Edo governorship election, the events surrounding the Ondo governorship election is clear indication that the Sheriff camp won’t back down until they decimate the PDP.

“I can tell you that the option of leaving the party for Sheriff and his camp has come up in some party circles. It has been muted but not aggressively adopted yet. We are still looking at it. We cannot continue to be held down by few disgruntled elements who are being used by the party in power to undermine us ahead of 2019,” the source said.

Another source said “For some of our party members, the PDP brand is too big to be left to Sheriff. But reality is also setting in by the day that Sheriff and his loyalists are not ready for genuine reconciliation. You can see that they keep shifting the bar at every turn. So the idea of leaving the party for them and forming our own will gain more converts, especially now that some people are trying to form a new party and the APC is having serious problems. But we will have to deliberate on it very well.

Attempts to get the party’s spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, to react to the issue was not possible as he didn’t pick calls placed to him nor respond to text message sent to him. But Ojougboh, said that the Makarfi group are free to go if they want to do so, stressing that it would afford them the opportunity to rebuild the party.

He said “It is free entry and free exit. If they say they want to leave let them leave so that we can rebuild the party. The interesting thing is that some of them want to go but some of the governors are insisting they will stay back that is what is happening now. I don’t know why governors Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Nyesom Wike of Rivers want to kill PDP.”

He added “The entire grassroots across the country have said they don’t want to leave the party and that they want to remain in the party under Sheriff. We went to former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and he told us that until the people causing impunity leave the party he will not have anything to do with the party.”

Meanwhile, with six days to the Ondo State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected calls by the Makarfi PDP-led for the postponement of the polls because of a pending legal dispute surrounding the governorship candidate of the party.

The Sen Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the Ondo State governorship election pending the determination of the suit before the Supreme Court.

The party justified its call for postponement of the polls against the backdrop that INEC is a party to the suit before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, adding that the commission is well aware of the steps taken by certain parties to the suit to frustrate the course of justice.

The party in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, further claimed that the recent invasion of the homes of justices of the Supreme Court, and the arrests and harassment of several judges by men of the Directorate of State Services, are compelling judges to refrain from furthering the course of justice by unsubstantiated allegations of corruption against them.

The party also stated that several mischievous actions by Messrs Biyi Poroye, Jimoh Ibrahim and their legal team led by Mr. Ben Nwofor (SAN), including unsubstantiated allegations of corruption and disregard for the justices of the Court of Appeal to disruption of court proceedings and flagrant abuse of Court processes has frustrated the case.

The Court of Appeal Panel led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa had on Friday adjourned sine die over appeals by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) against a judgment given by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Ibrahim Salauwa had stated that the decision to adjourn was taken in the face of a petition written against the panel to the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) and chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) alleging acts of corruption, bias and breach of oaths of office amongst others.

Furthermore, the respondents had filed a motion at the Supreme Court in which the justices of Court of Appeal Panel were named as co-respondents in their personal capacities. But Makarfi’s PDP, in its statement yesterday said “The indefinite adjournment is a consequence of the latest of several mischievous actions taken by Messrs Biyi Poroye, Jimoh Ibrahim and their legal team led by Mr. Ben Nwofor (SAN).

“These actions, ranging from unsubstantiated allegations of corruption to outright disrespect and disregard for the Justices of the Court of Appeal to disruption of Court proceedings and flagrant abuse of Court processes, are all designed to achieve one aim – stall proceedings and ensure that the legitimate candidate of the party is prevented from contesting the November 26th, 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

“This outright bullying and intimidation of justices of the Court of Appeal is enabled by the recent invasion of the homes of Justices of the Supreme Court, and the arrests and harassment of several judges by men of the Directorate of State Services. These actions are achieving the desired effect as judges are now compelled to refrain from furthering the course of justice by unsubstantiated allegations of corruption. We are aware that this is only a part of a much bigger plan to use all available resources of state to prevent the legitimate candidate of the party from running for and winning the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election.

“We are aware that this is part of the plan to use the judicial process, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the election in favour of the ruling party (APC) before the election day. We call on all well meaning Nigerians to urge the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government to desist from the use of organs of the Nigerian State as a tool with which to subvert the will of the Nigerian people. At this point, we must urge all Nigerians to hold the Federal Government, INEC, APC and the Jimoh Ibrahim group for any consequences of the dangerous games that they have chosen to play with the Nigerian people.

“The judiciary is seen as the last hope of the common man. When the freedom and independence of the judiciary to further the course of justice is tampered with, people often resort to self help. The current situation must not be allowed to deteriorate to that point. We call on INEC to postpone the election pending the determination of the suit before the Supreme Court. We make this call against the backdrop of the fact that INEC is a party to the suit before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and is well aware of the steps taken by certain parties to the suit to frustrate the course of justice.

“We also make this call against the backdrop of the fact that INEC postponed the Edo State Gubernatorial Election and recently postponed the Rivers rerun elections without any cogent or visible reason. We urge the justices of the Supreme Court to stand fast in the face of this existential threat to the independence of the judiciary and democracy itself. We urge the justices of the Supreme Court to remember the maxim “Justice delayed is justice denied” while determining the issues before it.

“We use this opportunity to ask our teeming members and supporters in Ondo State and across the country to remain calm. We believe that there are men and women of integrity in the judiciary who will ensure that this act of injustice does not stand.”

INEC’s director on Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said “The circumstances surrounding the postponement of the Edo Election was quite clear. It was because the institutions saddled with security said they could not guarantee security at that time not just in Edo but across the country. That scenario has not arisen at this time. We are going ahead with preparation for the election. The basis for postponement of elections are clearly spelt out in the electoral act. We cannot postpone an election because of internal conflicts of a party. Moreover, we are aware that other parties too like AD and APC have legal issues too. For now we are going ahead with preparation for the Ondo election.”

Similarly, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has kicked against the call for the postponement of the governorship poll. In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Ojougboh declared that such a call by the “so called National Caretaker Committee of the party is “malicious, shortsightedness, offensive and irresponsible”

The Sheriff faction urged INEC, the judiciary and the members of the public in general to discontinuance the call for postponement as contained in the statement issued by PDP’s national publicity secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

Sheriff declared that as a matter of fact the party under his leadership was fully ready for the Saturday’s poll in Ondo State and was confident of the party’s candidate, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim who has been busy campaigning in all the nooks and crannies of the state, winning the election

According to him,”our attention has been brought to the malicious, shortsightedness, offensive and irresponsible statement issued by the illegal National Caretaker Committee as represented by Dayo Adeyeye. The Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, entire judiciary and indeed the members of the public in general should discontinuance the statement on the Ondo state poll completely. We also want to draw the attention of the public to the evil intention and plans of the illegal Caretaker Committee not only to kill the PDP but also to bury it as they have announced to the whole nation that by January next year they would been in a new party, what else are they saying here again? We will not allow them to kill the PDP.

“We hereby state categorically that PDP is beyond destruction, we are calling on them to leave PDP alone and allow us to face the task of rebuilding the party. We are reinstating here again and again that we are ready for the Ondo poll, come November 26th, there is no cogent reason for INEC to do otherwise.”

Meanwhile, PDP staff members at the national headquarters, Abuja, who are loyal to Makarfi’s faction yesterday decried the incessant petition and blackmailing of the Nigerian judiciary by Sheriff in an attempt to delay prompt dispensation of justice to resolve the current leadership crisis in the PDP.

The staff under the auspices of “Staff Welfare Forum” in a press statement on yesterday, said, “The latest attempt by the Senator Ali Modu Sherriff warring group speaks volume of who is actually working in cohorts with the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) to destabilize the PDP and create a one party state in the country.”

A statement signed by the chairman Ngozi Nzeh, further said, “We have been following all the events and issues surrounding our great party, the PDP after the humbling outing in the 2015 General Elections and the subsequent leadership crisis following the May 21, 2016 National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It is sad to say the least how some of our party leaders are working tirelessly with a view to decapitate and destroy the PDP. This is not acceptable and must stop immediately.”

The national secretariat staff of the party declared that they are all in support of the resolution of the May 21, 2016 National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, establishing the National Caretaker Committee, headed by Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, saying that any member of the party no matter how highly placed working against the convention resolution must tread softly or face the party’s disciplinary committee which has the power to invoke the extant rules and take necessary actions against such erring members.

“The former national chairman of our party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was only appointed by the 68th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party to complete the tenure of the North East which began with Dr. Bamanga Tukur in 2012 and ended in March, 2016. Senator Sheriff was even given additional 3 months because his appointment came towards the end of the four years tenure of the North East. So, the claim by Senator Sheriff to remain as chairman after the expiration of the tenure of the 2012 Working Committee is anti-party and he and all his cohorts should be treated as enemies of the party.”

The staff declared their unflinching loyalty and total support to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee saying that the committee is the only authentic product of the National Convention of the PDP which is the highest decision making organ of the party in accordance with the constitution of the party (2012 as amended) in Part X, Section (2), which says…”The National Convention shall be the supreme and controlling authority of the party within the limits prescribed in this constitution and it shall be the principal representatives, policy making and administering body of the party.

“We are therefore perplexed, astonished, amazed, startled and wonder how Senator Sheriff and co, stood the constitution of the party on its head, maintaining that he remains the chairman of the party after the convention of May 21st, 2016. Any judgment he parades in his favour after May 21st, 2016 is nothing but a ‘black-market’ judgment procured through the windows of the court. We are also wondering how Senator Sheriff could seat down as an individual and appoint deputy national chairman, national secretary , national auditor and converting some former deputy officers of the party to substantial officers and still cry impunity when he is the one actually impugning the PDP with reckless abandon without recourse to the party’s constitution.”

The PDP staff members, therefore called on the chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) and the entire Nigerian judiciary as the third estate of the realm to live up to its responsibility to save Nigeria’s democracy and treat the PDP leadership matter before them with utmost urgency and dedication that it requires, especially to enable enough time for the PDP to campaign with other political parties in the election and participate actively in the Saturday, November 26, 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State saying…”Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Ondo guber: Jimoh Ibrahim’s rally, a sham – PDP

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Ahmed Makarfi led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has described the rally held on Monday by Sheriff led faction of the party ahead of November 26, governorship election in the state, as a sham.

The party, through its State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Banji Okunomo, said the show was “another incidence of some masquerades dancing naked in the public.”

Okunomo, in a statement issued yesterday in Akure, the state capital, noted that the sham was put up by Mr Jimoh Ibrahim and some imported participants from Ogun State.

Okunomo who posited that real members of the PDP in Ondo State did not show up at the charade knowing full well that everything about Jimoh is deceit, noted that the few persons who were at the rally wore fez caps and other items bearing ‘Omo-Ilu foundation’, an appellation for Senator Kasamu Buruji from Ogun State.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State uses this medium to dissociate itself from a purported rally organised by Jimoh Ibrahim and his cohorts in Ore on Monday in the name of Ondo PDP.

“The rally is not only a sham but a further portrait of Jimoh Ibrahim as one who is in for a spoiler’s job in the November 26, 2016 governorship election. For those who have been keeping abreast with the activities of the PDP in Ondo State, it would be obvious to them that the purported rally falls from the normal PDP standard.

“Those who attended the rally were also alien to the PDP in Ondo State. It was gathered that many of them were imported from Ogun State.

“We should recall that the scam described as governorship primary election that produced Jimoh was held in Ibadan, kilometres away from the shores of Ondo State.’

PDP committed to retaking power in 2019 – Makarfi

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has said that the party is committed to settling all its internal crises to make it strong enough to retake power in 2019.

The former Kaduna State governor, however, decried the tactics of the PDP factional leader, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to frustrate the peace and reconciliation efforts in the party.

Makarfi, who spoke in Kaduna, said in a few weeks from now, people would begin to see a lot of activities, “because nobody is going to pin us down and stagnate the party. I am assuring you that nobody will hold PDP down and make it impotent.”

He said 99 per cent of the members of the party had resolved to put the crisis that has rocked the party behind them and work together to rescue the country from its economic recession.

He said Sheriff had allegedly frustrated the reconciliation and peace moves through his actions and positions. “I reminded him that I don’t represent myself and as such I don’t have anything personal to negotiate.”

He added: “Whatever I can take back to the governors, our National Assembly members, Board of Trustees (BoT) and the other parties must be something which makes sense to them and which will be acceptable to them. I cannot sit down alone with him and negotiate what I know will not be generally acceptable to the party that I represent.

“It is not about me. Reducing these issues to me is being myopic. I represent the organs of the party. Yes, we want peace but we want an everlasting peace and not a temporary or smokescreen peace that would later create more problems than we have now.

“The mandate that I had from BoT, the governors, National Assembly caucus and states’ chapter chairmen was that we set up a committee of 15 each to sit down and discuss on the basis of the initial agreement we reached. This peace process can progress if he (Sheriff) allows this committee to begin sitting and talk.

“What the outcome may be, I am not in a position to say. But, at least we would have created a forum for talking to take place. And for me, anything that comes out of that, I will accept and implement. I have nothing personal. And what I am saying is that to personalise it between myself and Sheriff is purely to miss the point, because on his side, it is also beyond him.”

SABOTAGE: Ali Modu Sheriff is working for APC victory – Makarfi

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has accused factional leader of the party, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, of working for the All Progressives Congress, APC, to win the forthcoming governorship election by supporting Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, instead of the declared winner of the primary, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN.

Makarfi, who spoke with journalists in Kaduna, also, accused Sheriff of breaching a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, the two camps reached to break the impasse that had made the former ruling party divided along Makarfi and Sheriff camps. Both are senators and former governors.

He said: “Most members and supporters of our great party believe that Senator Sheriff is working for the smooth victory of the APC. That is why he is supporting Ibrahim Jimoh, who is not popular in the state. The APC is ready to do anything to win Ondo, and our party will not be surprised to see such a scheme being hatched.

“We gave INEC relevant notices as stipulated by law. They observed our primaries and they took our nomination. It was reported that the other side (Sheriff’s faction) did primaries at midnight in Ibadan. It was not covered by INEC or any authority for that matter. So, if a court of law gives INEC some orders contrary to our well organised primary election that produced Jegede, it is unfortunate. No such court of law, in the first instance, should give such an order.

“They are ignoring all the other laws relating to regulations and how candidates should emerge. Be that as it may, it has been our principle not to personalize issues because our judicial system provides for appeal process and we have appealed. And we have absolute confidence that the appellate court should be able, before the election date, to determine the legitimate candidate of the PDP. We are still confident that Jegede, the properly nominated candidate by our party men and women from Ondo State will be the name to stand for the election as a PDP candidate for Ondo.”

On the MoU, he said: “What we agreed was that the other side (Sheriff’s faction) will join the caretaker committee (Makarfi’s committee). And that was the basic agreement that was reached. We should set up an equal number of party men and women that would sit down and look at the modality for integrating the two sides into a new caretaker committee and also draw the modality for the withdrawal of all court cases or consensual settlement of the cases.

“We agreed that in withdrawing all cases, let it be something that we all consent to so as to prevent future litigation. The committee was to be for 12 from both sides, later it was Ali Modu Sheriff himself who thought that we should expand it to 14 each because his thought was that some members of the caretaker committee ought to have been members of the new committee because they know where we are and they can add to the new committee in making input. From his own committee members, he will also bring two to also join the other people. We said that it was a good idea.

“Later, I was the one that sent a message that we needed to expand it to 15 because instead of two governors we wanted to include three governors in order to carry everybody along. So, that was how we hit the figure 15 on each side.’ And the issue now became who will chair that committee and the term of reference. On who to chair the committee there were names that were mentioned.

“In my opinion, I thought of the person who was able to convene us without dispute should be able to chair the committee. In suggesting any other name you don’t know how it would be received by other people.

“Modu Sherrif suggested former President Goodluck Jonathan. And I said he had wanted to do similar thing before and he was advised against it and that he shouldn’t be dragged into it, more so, we don’t know how it will end up. If it ends up well, fine and well. Supposing it doesn’t end up well, we would have succeeded in bringing down his stature as PDP immediate past President. It will mean that he is involved in something which later failed. It wasn’t wise to get him involved in such issues, we reasoned together. We actually felt that it will be better that he play an advisory role and not a central role. And so, we didn’t really decide on who to take the position, it was opened for discussion. But, the key issue where we had problem was the issue of terms of reference.”

Makarfi begs PDP state chairmen for support.

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

One of the factional Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, met with some state chairmen of the party in Abuja on Tuesday.

Sources at the meeting, which was held at the faction’s secretariat of the PDP located at Wuse 2, said that the former governor of Kaduna State begged for the support of the state chairmen.

Makarfi and a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, are currently in court, fighting for the leadership of the party.

It was gathered that the Makarfi faction also briefed the state chairmen on the crisis in the party.

Specifically, he was said to have appealed to them to stand with the faction and its candidate for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).

One of the state chairmen, who was at the meeting and spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity because he was not officially permitted to speak on the issue, described the atmosphere at the meeting as sober.

He said, “It was a very sober meeting. We were briefed by the chairman on the crisis in the party and all that.

“Apart from begging us to keep supporting him, he also asked us to support Jegede for the governorship election in Ondo State.

“He also briefed us on how the peace talks with the Sheriff faction failed and all that. But in all, we left the meeting in a sad mood because we don’t like what’s happening in the party.”

The spokesperson for the faction, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, however, stated in a statement that the meeting deliberated on topical national issues.

He said that the meeting was convened at the instance of Makarfi and other members of the National Caretaker Committee of the party.

He said the former governor of Kaduna “briefed the state chairmen on the developments in the party and some certain decisions taken by the leadership.

“The meeting also received reports from the state chairmen on the state of affairs in their various states.

“The meeting equally was optimistic that justice shall surely be served and therefore, both teams reiterated full support for the party’s candidate in the Saturday, November 26, 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the standard bearer of the party.”

Adeyeye called on members of the party nationwide, its supporters and the general public, and especially Ondo people, to remain calm and continue supporting the Makarfi-led faction in moving the party forward.

“We Are Ready For Reconcilliation” – Sheriff-Led PDP Says

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP says it is ready to reconcile with the Ahmed Markafi-led faction.

Prof. Wale Oladipo, National Secretary of the Sheriff factihe disclosure while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Oladipo said some eminent Nigerians, some of whom were apolitical, had been meeting with the feuding parties with a view to resolving the lingering crisis.

He said both Sheriff and Markafi attended a peace meeting initiated by these Nigerians, adding that an agreement was reached for an amicable resolution of the crisis.

“The two leaders have agreed that a 24- man committee of committed PDP leaders and members from all over the country will be formed to chart the way forward for our party.

“This is with a view to bringing this unnecessary crisis to a stop and making sure that our party comes out of it stronger.

“Sheriff is out of the country, as soon as he comes back, himself and Makarfi ?will put this committee together.

“This committee will be mandated to quickly come up with a template and make PDP what it used to be with the restored vision of its founding fathers.

“?We are working to selecting the 12 members that will join the other 12 to form the committee to resolve the crisis,” Oladipo said.

Oladipo disclosed that Sheriff was in touch with his National Working Committee on the peace move from his base abroad.

“He is speaking with us and the names are being compiled; we will talk with the other side before we make anything public.

“I can assure you that we are ready,” he said.

He said that the party would ensure that there would be timeline for the peace move, adding that it would be flexible and realistic.

“It will be realistic and flexible because we want a holistic solution that can withstand the test of time,” Oladipo said.
On the date for the inauguration of the peace committee, Oladipo said that both Sheriff and Makarfi would meet and decide that.

On the Edo election, he said the party would engage legal means to contest the outcome of the governorship poll.

Sheriff, Makarfi Meet, Vow To End PDP Crises

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Factional leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi, met in Abuja on Tuesday and declared their intention to end the perennial crises in the party.

The meeting, which was held at an undisclosed venue in Abuja, was said to have been attended by some members from the two factions.

At the end of the meeting, representatives of each faction jointly addressed a press conference where they said their leaders were working together to reposition the party.

While the Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi represented Makarfi, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, represented Sheriff at the briefing.

The short briefing was held at a neutral venue away from each faction’s offices.

In the joint statement, which was read by Ojougboh and corroborated by Obi, the two leaders said that their meeting was without prejudice to all outstanding matters in court.

The statement said, “This is without prejudice to all outstanding matters in court. At a meeting held this morning between the two of us, a holistic review of the state of affairs of our great party, PDP, was deliberated upon.

“In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party since the loss of the 2015 general elections after 15 years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds and bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process.”

http://punchng.com/pdp-sheriff-makarfi-met-vow-end-crises/

PDP crisis: Markafi faction asks Abang to hands-off case

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a dramatic dimension on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja as a factional Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Markafi, and six other members of the party asked Justice Okon Abang to hands-off the case.

Abang had on August 15 issued an order of interlocutory injunction that barred the party from conducting its national convention.

The order, which came barely 48 hours to a convention the party scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on August 17, equally stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission from monitoring the exercise.

Abang said the party must not sponsor any candidate or conduct election into any of its national offices pending the determination of a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016, which another factional National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and seven others lodged before the court.

However at the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Markafi and six other members of the party, through their lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), challenged the jurisdiction of Justice Abang to further preside over the matter.

They asked Justice Abang to hands-off the suit and await the judgment of the Court of Appeal on three separate appeals that were entered against his previous decisions on the PDP leadership crisis.

Ukala, who notified the court that the appeals were filed on July 28, August 15 and 16 respectively, said there was the need for Justice Abang to “step aside” from the case. “Once an appeal has been entered, the court below ought to stand aside and allow the Court of Appeal to have the opportunity to exercise its jurisdiction on the matter,” Ukala submitted.

On his part, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), who opposed the application, urged the court to ignore the appellants and go ahead with the substantive suit.

Akintola noted that there was nothing stopping the simultaneous hearing of the three appeals and the suit before the high court.

After listening to both sides, Justice Abang adjourned to September 29 to decide on whether or not to hands-off the legal tussle between two the factions.

Aside Sheriff, others listed as plaintiffs in the suit were Prof. Wale Oladapo (National Secretary), Dennis Alonge-Niyi (Deputy National Youth Leader), Alhaji Bashir Maidugu (Deputy National Legal Adviser), Hanatu Ulam (Deputy National Women Leader), Alhaji Lawal Dutsima Anchi (Deputy National Auditor), Chief Okey Nnadozie (Deputy National Organising Secretary) and Chief Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).

The plaintiffs said they filed the suit for themselves and on behalf of the Executive Committee/National Working Committee of the PDP.

Though only the PDP and INEC were initially cited as defendants in the case, the court subsequently joined Makarfi and six others as defendants in the suit.

Those also allowed into the matter as 4th to 9th defendants were Senator Ben Obi, Odion Ugbesia, Abdul Ningi, Kabiru Usman, Dayo Adeyeye and Aisha Aliyu.

PDP Holds Convention, Extends Makarfi, Others’ Tenure

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday defied attempts by the police and the Department of State Service (DSS) to scuttle its national convention, as delegates relocated to the state secretariat of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to hold the convention.
The police had sealed off the Sharks Stadium venue of the convention and barred delegates from gaining access to the venue.

But at the state secretariat of the party at Aba Road, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, declared the convention open.
The convention approved the extension of the tenure of the caretaker committee led by Makarfi by 12 months and also increased its membership from seven to 13 through a motion moved by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and seconded by a former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina.

The Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, pushed for the extension of the caretaker committee, which was unanimously approved.
The convention had earlier adopted a motion moved by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, and seconded by the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the PDP, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, to amend the agenda of the convention and step down the issue of election.

Markarfi, addressing the convention after the extension of his committee’s tenure, assured the delegates that his committee would effectively position the party for 2019 and would organise another convention within the period.
Markarfi had earlier inaugurated the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
Performing the inauguration at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Makarfi said the NEC included the PDP governors, National Assembly Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT), National Caucus, the 36 state PDP chairmen and national officers of the party.

He said in the absence of the elected national officers, the National Caretaker Committee members would be part of NEC, adding that his committee members would cease to be NEC members once national officers are elected.
At the meeting were the PDP governors, National Assembly Caucus, members of the PDP BoT, National Caucus, 36 state PDP chairmen and National Caretaker Committee members of the party.

PDP NEC Meets, May Postpone Convention

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Members of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party are meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to consider the postponement of the party’s convention for another 90 days.

Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Rivers State, Nysome Wike, is presiding over the meeting which is taking place inside the Government House.

The NEC comprises members of the Board of Trustees, members of the National Caretaker Committee, National Assembly Members and Governors.

It also consists of some national and former national officers of the party.

The meeting was a follow up to the inability of the party to hold its planned national convention slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers State today.

It was gathered that the meeting may consider expanding the life span of the caretaker committee while the party continues negotiation with the factional National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff.

Details soon.

http://punchng.com/6-men-hanged-taliban-afghanistan/

Ignore Sheriff’s Letter, Makarfi Tells INEC

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to disregard the letter by the former chairman of PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff urging the commission not to recognize the party’s convention slated for Portharcourt on August 17.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the spokesman of the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said Sheriff’s letter to INEC was not only meant to scuttle the convention but to destroy the party.

According to Prince Adeyeye, there is no basis upon which Senator Sheriff would ask the commission not to recognize the forth coming convention. The statement reads: “The latest attempt by the former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his cohorts is not only to scuttle the forthcoming National Convention but also another clear evidence of his determination to destroy the PDP. The law and the facts are as follows:

“The ruling of Justice Okon Abang which Ali Modu Sheriff is relying on is a mere narrative of the Case before the Federal High Courts in Lagos and in Port Harcourt Divisions. It does not set aside or nullified the Judgment of Justice Liman which has authenticated the May 21st National Convention and the Resolutions emanating therefrom.

“The ruling did not anywhere direct INEC to do anything or not to do anything, to discharge or not to discharge any obligation; to perform any function or not to perform any function.

“In essence, it is a mere legal tale and the Order having been made without any application before him by either of the Parties has no foundation in law.

“Hon. Justice Valerie Arshi had in a Judgment nullified the appointment of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as Chairman of the Party. That Judgment has not been set aside. It is still valid and subsisting. And no Court of Coordinate Jurisdiction including the Federal High Court can make any other Order with the intention of rendering that Judgment ineffective.

“The National Convention which held in Port Harcourt on May 21st 2016 which resolutions were confirmed by Justice Liman of the Federal High NCourt, Port Harcourt on July 4, 2016 dissolved the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) and affirmed Nthe National Caretaker Committee as the Supreme body to run the affairs of the Party until another Convention was held within 90 days.

“That being the case, it was therefore the last Convention that in fact convened the forthcoming one slated for August 17, 2016, and not the National Caretaker Committee parse. The National Convention is superior to all other Organs of the Party.

“We call on INEC to disregard the letter from the former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his cohorts. It belongs to the garbage bin. He is merely acting the script of his paymasters. The Caretaker Committee will continue with its dogged determination to organize the best National Convention in the history of our great Party” he said.

Credit: Vanguard

Fight To Finish: INEC Okays Makarfi As PDP’s Acting National Chairman

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Independent National Electoral Commission has recognised Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

This was contained in a statement issued by Nick Dazang, INEC’s Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Dazang said INEC ratified the administrative approval granted Makarfi based on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Dazang said the ratification was in line with INEC’s Decision Extract, issued on July 14, 2016 and signed by the Director, Commission’s Secretariat, Ishiaku Gali.

He said INEC would recognise the National Caretaker Committee’s activities such as the conduct of primaries of political officers and submission of the plaintiff’s list of the candidate for any election to be conducted by INEC.

He said: “Two weeks ago, the commission received the candidate forwarded to it by the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP, which had earlier secured an order from the Port Harcourt High Court.”

PDP Crisis: Makarfi Urges Sheriff To Embrace Dialogue

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The national caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised a factional chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, to tow the path of dialogue over Edo governorship election.

The chairman of the committee, Ahmed Makarfi, gave the advice on Monday in Abuja when he received the report of the PDP Edo governorship primaries.

“Once again, I call upon the former chairman of PDP, my colleague and friend Sheriff and those associating with him to follow the path of dialogue.

“They should not to do anything further that will cause PDP harm in Edo state,’’ Mr. Makarfi said.

He said it was important for the party to work together as INEC had stated that it required 21 days notice to monitor any primary.

“This means validly and legally, no primary can be conducted apart from the one which we conducted and monitored by INEC.

“If the intention is not to cause the PDP to fail the election, any talk towards conducting other primaries in Edo by anybody either within or outside the state is supposed to have ceased by this time.

“I will continue to plead that what you cannot achieve through peace or dialogue, you cannot achieve it through the opposite,’’ he added.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Governors, BoT, Sheriff, Makarfi Meet Over PDP Crisis

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would meet today in Abuja with aggrieved members to find a lasting solution to the crisis within the party.

Stakeholders expected at the meeting at the Ondo Governor’s Lodge in Abuja are, the PDP Governors’ Forum, National Assembly Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, the Makarfi-led care taker committee and the former National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Disclosing this yesterday, the Director General of PDP Governors’ Forum, Osaro Onaiwu, said that the agenda of the meeting is to resolve the crisis rocking the party.

He added that decision would also be taken on the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election.Onaiwu said: “The leaders of the party, the Governors’ Forum, National Assembly Caucus, BoT, Makarfi group and Sheriff group will meet tomorrow (today) to address the issue in the party. We want to resolve the crisis in the party once and for all. We want to find lasting solution to it. All parties involved are invited for this meeting. The forthcoming Edo election will also be addressed.”

Credit: Guardian

Confusion In Adamawa PDP As Makarfi Committee Withdraws Support For New Exco

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its recognition of Chief Joel Madaki as the party’s chairman in Adamawa.

The recognition was contained in a letter to the party dated May 31, signed by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi and Sen. Ben Obi.

The letter, which was copied to Commissioner of Police and Director State Security Service, said the recognition was due to pending litigation over the authentic leaders of the party in the state.

It said in the letter, that it had withdrawn its earlier recognition of the new leaders who emerged during the recent state congress in which Abdulrahman Bobboi and Zira Tumba were elected chairman and secretary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Madaki group is insisting that its tenure had not elapsed.

The development had led to two separate primaries for chairmanship and councillorship candidates, to represent the party in the June 25 Local Government Election in the state.

The letter signed by Makarfi and Obi titled “Re-New PDP Executives in Adamawa” reads in part:

“Our letter on above subject matter dated 24th May 2016 introducing Barr Abdurahman Bobboi and Mr Zira Tumba Diwe refers.

“Due to pending litigation at Federal High Court, Abuja in suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/314/2013 and dispute over the recent congresses, we are hereby withdrawing our letter of May 24th 2016.

“The old executive committee under the chairmanship of Chief Joel Madaki and Barr A.T Shehu should continue to be attended to by you, pending the resolution of the matter.”

When contacted on phone, Bobboi said he was in a meeting in Abuja over the matter.

Meanwhile, many candidates who emerged from the separate PDP primaries have expressed concern over the development.

” This issue of party leadership is seriously affecting us, we want amicable resolution of the problem as some members have started moving to other political parties”, a councillorship candidate, who simply identified himself as Mohammed said.

(NAN)

Sheriff, Makarfi Sent Out Of PDP BoT Meeting

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ali Modu Sheriff and the chairman of the Caretaker committee of the Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi were excused out of a meeting of the board of trustees of the party which is on going in Abuja.

Senator Sheriff walked into the Transcorp Hilton venue of the meeting at about 11:10 am and was followed five minutes later by senator Makarfi who also walked in to the meeting.

The duo sat at the high table alongside the chairman of the Board, Senator Jibril Wali and the secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe. Few minutes later, the chairman of the board announced that the board had a very important decision to take before the commencement of the meeting.

At this point, he asked journalists covering the opening ceremony to leave the hall and less than five minutes later, senators Sheriff and Makarfi walked out of the meeting hall. A member of the board who does not want to be named told vanguard that the two were asked to leave the hall because it would be inappropriate for them to be in attendance at a meeting that was going to discuss their matter.

Credit: vanguardngr