CHIEFTAINS of the All Progressives Congress in Borno State have reacted to move by former factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to join the ruling party. A national daily, (not Nigerian Tribune) has published a report that the former Borno State governor was being wooed to join the APC.
But addressing newsmen in Abuja, Maina Bashir and Abdullahi Mala, chairman and secretary, respectively of the Borno APC Coalition, dismissed the report as unfounded.
Alhaji Bashir said the coalition with party members from the 27 local councils in the state was not aware of any effort to encourage the chieftain of the main opposition party to defect to the ruling party.
The APC Coalition accused the former Borno State governor of abandoning the party for the PDP when he was needed to galvanise support for it before the 2015 general elections. They further expressed concern that the peace and brotherliness in the party being strengthened by Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima could be jeopardized, if Senator Modu Sheriff was allowed to return to its fold.
“The crux of the story is that some unknown and unidentified members of our great Party seek the return of Sheriff, who until recently was the factional chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Firstly, we wish to state that we are not aware of any call or move by any person or group for the return of Sheriff to the APC. As committed members and stakeholders of the APC in all the 27 Local Governments of Borno State, we would have been aware of any sincere move or effort for the return of Sheriff to our Party, which he defected from at its greatest moment of need – just before the 2015 general elections.
“Secondly, the Borno State chapter of the APC is currently at peace, with no crisis whatsoever. This is because of the excellent leadership provided by the Governor of the State, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, which has allowed the party to bloom. We are wary of anyone joining the party, who is likely change this situation for the worse.
“Thirdly, while we may have no objection to Sheriff or any other person for that matter joining our party, we wish to state clearly that every returnee or potential new member must join from his or her ward. We do not want ‘Abuja politicians’ with no substance at home in our Party.
“Finally, if the speculation is true that Sheriff has indeed eaten the humble pie and with his tail between his legs, wants to return to the APC, he should go to his Ngala, his town and register with his ward chairman. If Sheriff does not have the details Ward Chairman, we will gladly supply him.”
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