PDP state chairmen disown Sheriff

STATE chairmen of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have pledged their loyalty to the national caretaker committee of the party, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

According to a statement issued by Honourable Yahaya Y. Suleiman, PDP chairman, FCT and chairman of PDP State Chairmen in Abuja, on Monday, at no time did the chairmen declare support for factional national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Sheriff.

“The attention of the PDP state chairmen has been drawn to a purported declaration of loyalty and support to the former national chairman of our great party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff by the Borno State PDP chapter chairman, Hon. Shehu Shettima.

“I wish to state on behalf of the state chapter chairmen of the PDP in 29 states of the federation that our unflinching and unalloyed loyalty and maximum support remains with the party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi’s national caretaker committee.

“Our loyalty is first and foremost to the party and to the national caretaker committee which is a product of the party’s highest decision making organ, the national convention that held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and also affirmed by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on July 4, 2016.

“My position which represents that of 29 out of 30 chairmen of our party in the state where congresses held during the last state congresses is that, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must first of all survive before we can remain chairmen in our respective states.

“So, our loyalty is first to the PDP and then to the national  caretaker committee which is approved, constituted and appointed by the PDP’s national convention; and upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement read.

It added that any member or members pitching tent with the former national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, should know that the interest of the party was supreme, paramount and bigger than any personal or parochial interest.

The chairmen asserted that no order or judgment was given in favour of Senator Sheriff making him the national chairman of the PDP.

“We wish to also remind Nigerians of subsisting court judgments of June 29, 2016 by Justice Valentine Ashi of FCT High Court that nullified the amendments to the PDP Constitution in 2014 which Senator Sheriff claimed produced his predecessor, Amadu Adamu Mu’azu, thereby nullifying Sheriff as national chairman.

“The Judgment of July 4, 2016 which specifically ruled in favour of the PDP national caretaker committee also nullified Senator Sheriff as chairman of the PDP and Justice Okon Abang cannot sit on an appeal to hear the case brought before his court by Senator Sheriff and co when the matter is before a higher court, the Court of Appeal,” the statement said.