Sheriff not satisfied with BoT recommendations on convention

The Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the recommendations of the party's Board of Trustees (BoT) on the next national convention and resolution of the party's leadership tussle.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the faction’s Deputy National Chairman, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, on Tuesday, August 30, it said the outcome of the BoT Monday’s meeting was not in line with the faction's earlier decision with the party’s reconciliation committee.

The BoT had yesterday, August 29, advised the National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi to hold the next national convention in Abuja.

It also recommended that a new convention planning committee should be constituted by the Caretaker Committee and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to ensure a free and fair election.

But the Sheriff faction claimed the BoT recommendations breached the agreement it had with the reconciliation committee.

The statement said: “Having deliberated on the reported outcome of the BoT meeting of Aug. 29, we have resolved that the resolutions feel short of the decision reached with the Dickson/Mantu reconciliation committee.

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“The agreement we had is that Sheriff should chair a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting where Makarfi will attend as a member of the BoT.

“At the meeting, a chairman of convention committee will be agreed upon, a new convention committee setup, including all other sub-committees, zoning, finance, accreditation, etc.

“The venue of the convention will be in Abuja, where a new leadership of the party will emerge, internal democracy will be respected and confidence will return to the party."

The faction blamed the crisis rocking the party on the BoT Chairman, Sen. Walid Jubrin.

“In any case, his tenure has expired as he has spent more than 10 years as secretary and chairman of BoT, which runs contrary to the Constitution," Sheriff group said.

“A party where we have eminently qualified persons like Sen. David Mark, Babangida Aliyu and others, cannot be led by individuals controlled by the love for money.

“The source of irritation in the party is the still-born illegal caretaker committee and the Board of Trustees should have advised that the illegality be addressed.

“We make bold to state that until we get it right and check impunity, the Nigerian opposition party won’t perform as required.

“As we move towards reconciliation, PDP should prevent any person or group from hijacking the party."

The faction, however, expressed confidence that the PDP will emerge stronger ahead of future elections in the country.