Peace returns to PDP as Makarfi, Sheriff agrees to sheath sword

THERE is hope that lingering leadership crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will end soon as both factions of the party on Tuesday in Abuja agreed  to bury the hatchet and work together.

The National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction have resolved to reunite the party to enable it to perform its role as a viable opposition platform.

Both factions appeared at a joint news briefing in Abuja on Tuesday where they disclosed the new understanding.

They said they would now embark on extensive consultations with their respective loyalists to fashion out a way to cement the new unity after about four months of bitter rivalry.

The Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi and the acting Deputy National Chairman of the Sheriff faction, Cairo Ojougboh, jointly addressed the press conference where they announced the new peace initiative.

Ojougboh, who read the resolutions of the two factions, said they met and took “a holistic review of the state of affairs” of PDP.

The statement, which was jointly signed by Makarfi and Sheriff, said the resolution was without prejudice to the outstanding matters in court.

It said: “This is without prejudice to all outstanding matters in court. At a meeting held this morning between the two of us, a holistic review of the state of affairs of our great party, PDP, was deliberated upon.

“In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party since the loss of the 2015 general election after 15years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds.

“And bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process. Bringing relief to the teeming supporters of our great party and to the benefit of our great country.”

Based on these, it said the parties have agreed consult widely with all relevant organs of the party.

They have therefore set up a joint committee that will carry out a holistic reconciliation of all aggrieved segments of our party across the country and in Diaspora and also pursue the vision of the founding fathers of our great party.

While noting that details of all the agreement will be made public soonest, the factions called on all party members to remain calm and refrain from any actions and utterances that could further bring about divisions or dispute the party.