- As National Chairman Reconciles with Aggrieved Stakeholders
- Sheriff Picks Nomination Form, Gets Unanimous Endorsement
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has once more proved bookmakers wrong to the effect that it will implode, having demonstrated her capacity to survive crisis, following the reconciliation of all stakeholders who have been divided over the leadership of its national Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and aggrieved stakeholders under the leadership of Professor Jerry Gana resolved their differences and agreed to work together for the progress of the party after a marathon meeting of all the parties on Sunday, culminating into the meeting of the BOT on Monday.
Our correspondent reports that, Sheriff who reached out to the stakeholders individually on Sunday night was seen hugging his erstwhile opponents during the BOT meeting on Monday, even as he was heard exchanging banters with most of them.
The National Chairman who had earlier apologized to the stakeholders over comments credited to his associates, saying he does not wish to preside over a divided house, though he takes responsibility for every action in the ensuing imbroglio, was given a unanimous endorsement to return as national Chairman until the presidential candidate zoned to the north emerges.
Members of the BOT which include those who had initially opposed Sheriff’s leadership of the party were in agreement that, it is a plausible idea to leave the chairmanship in the north until the Presidential candidate is picked.
And with the successful conclusion of the ward, Local Government, State and Zonal congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, albeit the pockets of complaints from some areas, the party, looks set to hold its National Convention in Port Harcourt on May 21, as scheduled.
National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff announced during the zonal congress of the North East Zone in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital last Saturday, even before the reconciliation that, he will address all grievances arising from the various congresses, even as he called on aggrieved members of the party to close ranks and work towards a successful national convention.
The Chairman who got the unanimous endorsement of all 450 delegates to the zonal congress to contest the chairmanship of the party said, people have the democratic right to complain over issues they feel unhappy, but that will not stop plans by the PDP to hold its convention, as preparations for it have gone far.
While dismissing rumours of an impending attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Port Harcourt and other places in the south, as a mere scare plot to stop the convention, Senator Sheriff noted that, security agents should stand up to their responsibilities and stop condoning the spread of falsehood.
The National Chairman who regretted the crisis amongst key stakeholders of the largest opposition party while apologising to all aggrieved stakeholders of the party over statements and comments made by his Associates considered to be offensive, said as a well cultured and an astute politician, it was not in his character to join issues with elders of his esteemed political party.
According to to Sheriff, the aggrieved members of the party reserved the right to complain on issues affecting the party which they considered inimical to their interests, but called on all the aggrieved parties to bury their differences and join hands with the present leadership to rebuild the party and restore the confidence of Nigerians in it.
Sheriff also noted that the PDP as the main opposition party in the country cannot afford to have a divided house, adding that its unity was more paramount than any individual interest, stressing that the present leadership of the party was poised to lend a listening ear to all shades of opinions with a view to strengthening it to face the challenges ahead.
He said that the battle for 2019 begins now and the party can no longer afford to remain divided if the desired goal is to be achieved, “Under our leadership; with the support and encouragement of our stakeholders and supporters, PDP would definitely bounce back in 2019”.
Meanwhile, the North East Chapter of the Party on Saturday endorsed Sen. Sheriff as its sole candidate in the party’s upcoming national convention slated for May 21, 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The endorsement followed a motion moved by the Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba and seconded by his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo at the North East zonal congress of the Party in Jalingo.
Earlier in a goodwill message, elder Statesman, Air Commandore Dan Suleiman has described as mature and reflective of a true leader, Senator Sheriff’s apology to all aggrieved PDP stakeholders, calling the successes recorded in the Zonal congresses as a tonic for yet a successful national Convention.
He said while it is common to disagree in politics, it is also necessary for parties to accept each other, who God may anoint as a leader, stressing that, the overwhelming endorsement of Ali Modu Sheriff as the next National Chairman of the PDP is an indication of his acceptability by his zone and the nation in general.
By James BWALA, Abuja and Ben ADAJI, Jalingo
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