Ali Modu Sheriff, the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, is not willing to step down to give peace a chance. Even when leaders of the party from all parts of the country have been pondering on ways to find lasting solutions to the lingering intra party crisis that threatens to diminish its electoral fortunes in future polls.
Key stakeholders in the party have been harping on a vague concept of “political solution” without being explicit on details of the concept.
Bernard Mikko, Sheriff’s spokesperson, said in reaction to reports that Goodluck Jonathan, former President, has asked him and Ahmed Makarfi to sheathe their swords to allow the party’s governors to nominate another chairman. Sheriff said the issue of resignation did not come up during his meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan last week.
“The general public, PDP members and the media are hereby informed that the issue of the National Chairman’s resignation as the political solution has never been discussed nor was it put up for discussion with the former President and other stakeholders. The general public, PDP members nationwide and the media are hereby informed that shortly before the Court of Appeal judgment of 17th February, 2017; all parties and stakeholders agreed that on the receipt of the Court of Appeal judgment, whichever way it goes; members will be prevailed upon and urged to support the judgment and orders of the Court of Appeal and rally round the successful party to conduct; as soon as possible a national unity convention for the election of officers; the modalities of which shall be worked out by all stakeholders of the party,” said Mikko.
Continuing, he said, “As law abiding citizen and advocate of the rule of law, the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff hereby calls on all stakeholders including but not limited to PDP governors; national and state assembly members; Board of Trustee members to make themselves available and give their input on how we can; as quickly as possible conduct a national unity convention where our national officers will be elected. The National Chairman has promised and undertaken not to contest.”