Former President Goodluck Jonathan has made it clear that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff who has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is “my chairman.”
This came today, Monday, against the backdrop of the party’s key stakeholders, including governors, the Board of Trustees members, National Assembly Caucus and former ministers that passed a vote of confidence in the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee.
Jonathan’s acknowledgement of Modu Sheriff as chairman also came amid protests by the Makarfi led Caretaker Committee and other critical organs of the party against the Appeal Court’s ruling that affirmed Sheriff’s position as chairman.
Receiving Modu Sheriff and members of his team at his Maitama, Abuja, residence today, Monday, Dr. Jonathan kept addressing Sheriff as “my chairman,” even as he said that there are no factions in the party.
Speaking after a closed door meeting with Sheriff and his team, Jonathan said: “we are not factionalized. We are one. There are bound to be differences in politics. We cannot run away from that.
“It is the way we resolve these differences is what makes us human beings and that is what makes us leaders. I have met with Sheriff. And I have met with others. I will still meet with others, so that we will be able to do what is expected of us as a political party.”
Also speaking after the meeting, Sheriff said that his mission was to unite the party and place it on sound footing to provide credible opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.
Modu Sheriff said that there can be only one national chairman and that “we are putting everything together to ensure that the party is united.
“We are not fighting and this is no time to join issues with people. We want everybody to come back to the party. Very soon I will get back to you when I finish my consultations. I won’t tell you anything before I finish consultations.”
Also, the Cross River State PDP has also given its support to Senator Modu Sherriff as the national chairman of the party.
A statement by the chairman of the party, Ntufam Edim Inok countered an earlier statement by the state publicity secretary of the party which declared support for the Ahmed Markarfi faction.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Cross River State Chapter supports Senator Ali Modu Sherriff led executive.
“This is in line with the Appeal Court’s judgment delivered in Port Harcourt in favour of Senator Sherriff as national chairman of PDP.
“This statement also refutes the earlier report credited to the state publicity secretary of the party. As law abiding citizens, we are committed to the rule of law and also respect court decisions at all stages.
“The Cross River State executive of the party calls all to join hands in moving the party forward while urging all to continue to support the PDP.” [myad]
