THE National Caretaker Committee has said that it has no hands in the purported move to register a splinter group known as to Advanced Peoples Democratic Party (APDP) even though it concedes that it is within the rights of any Nigerians to float a political party of their choice.
The APDP is suspected to be made up of PDP members disgruntled over the reemergence of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff PDP as the nation’s chairman of the party following the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal.
They are reported to have applied for registration with the Independent National Electoral. Commission (INEC), upsetting the Sheriff faction of the party which has vowed to fight against the move.
The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee has now dissociated itself from the move.
In a state issued in Abuja on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, denied that it was behind the APDP.
It said the caretaker committee which enjoys the support of all party organs cannot possibly abandon the PDP, saying that any decision must be taken by a validly constituted national convention of the party.
It said: “The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to deny in its entirety, the news item which went viral last Thursday that the Committee or any of its members as individuals, are leading a plan to abandon the party structure for the Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff led group, and seek registration of a new party to be called Advanced Peoples Democratic Party (APDP).”
“We state clearly and without ambiguity that the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP is not in any way involved in the plans to register any party by the name APDP or any other party for that matter”.
“It is unthinkable that the National Caretaker Committee which without any doubt, enjoys the support of all the recognized Organs of the party, will contemplate such a move.”
“We however acknowledge and recognize the rights of party members to seek alternative platform to actualize their political dreams which is an inalienable right guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“We also wish to state clearly and without ambiguity that the National Caretaker Committee is holding leadership power in the party in trust for the millions of party faithful who instituted the committee at the National Convention.”
“Whatever decision that will be taken on the PDP brand shall be taken by the owners of the party i.e. the party members at a properly constituted National Convention and not by a few individuals no matter how highly placed.”
“For the records, no decision has been taken that the PDP should be abandoned and a new party formed out of the current structure. At least, no such proposal is before the caretaker committee as at this moment.”
“We reiterate our belief that the issues before the Supreme Court will be resolved on the side of truth and Justice will be served in the interest of peace.”
“With the “Political Solution” as the alternative dispute resolution being suggested by some highly placed individuals and groups in the party, albeit, without prejudice to the appeal before the Supreme Court, we will like to appeal for calm among all party members and allow the reconciliation efforts to move forward.”
The party expressed confidence that justice would be served at the end either through the court or through the reconciliation efforts or a combination of all of them.
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