PDP imbroglio: Need for new leadership

I   want to use this opportunity to reach out to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff over the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I want to say that if Senator Sheriff truly loves the party, then he will accept all the peace moves being taken by the elders of the party to revive it.

As it is now, the former Borno State governor is just laying claim to the leadership of the party against the opinions of the vast majority of members.

Already, some people are of the view that Sheriff is being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the PDP.

To me, and the way it should be, leadership should have the support of the majority of people, but the situation we find ourselves in the PDP today is just so unfortunate.

I know that other candidates who are also laying claim to the chairmanship are flexible, that is, they can sacrifice themselves for the unity of the party, the body language of Senator Sheriff suggests otherwise.

I want Senator Sheriff to know that the party is bigger than any single individual, and it is not by force to serve. If the majority of the people say they want another leader, then there is no reason using force to stay in power.

Although the PDP lost the Federal Government in the last general election, it can return to power in 2019 if the party is united.

I am, therefore, using this opportunity to urge Senator Sheriff, and others who are laying claim to the leadership of the party, to step aside so that a neutral candidate can take over.

What the PDP needs at this period in time is unity, and not internal fighting. Already, the majority of its leaders have been destabilised as a result of the anti-corruption war being embarked upon by this current government. While I am not saying that it is wrong to be prosecuting those who have stolen from this country, it is unfair that the culprits are only members of the PDP when others who have also stolen but are in the ruling party are enjoying their largesse.

With this, Senator Sheriff should step aside for the party to move forward.

I hope a candidate from the South West can emerge to unite the party; this is also the best time for the South West to run the affairs of the party because the region had never held the post for once.

I am now appealing to Senator Sheriff and Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, to allow peace to reign in the PDP.

• Tuope Henry,

Port Harcourt,

Rivers State.