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Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives on Wednesday disassociated themselves from the PDP leadership led by Ali Modu Sheriff, despite the ruling of an Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
Leo Ogor, Minority Leader who expressed utter disappointment at the outcome of the legal tussle between both factions via a statement issued in Abuja, however declared unalloyed loyalty to Ahmed Makarfi’s leadership.
The caucus which restates its resolve to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court while seeking political solution to the crisis, urged Sheriff and his supporters to roll the path of honour by leaving the party.
“The PDP caucus of the House of Representative wishes to state categorically that it finds the Court of Appeal verdict that nullified the decision of the national convention of the PDP on May 21 , 2016 and reinstated the Modu Sheriff leadership very discomforting, the Caucus supports the decision of the Ahmed Makarfi Caretaker Committee to seek redress at the Supreme Court.
“The Caucus appeals to all leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party to please remain calm and focused, standing firmly on the position that there is no way the party will accept the Ali Modu Sheriff contraption which is yet to demonstrate any genuine iota of love for the party.
“Their activities in Edo and Ondo states are very fresh in peoples’ minds and as such, no honest and sincere member of our party can trust them; with such fundamental flaws of character and gross disdain for peace, order and brotherly relations,” he said.
While alleging that Sheriff’s principles and manifestos are completely alien to the PDP may be partly responsible for the demonstrated hostility towards the cohesion of the leading opposition party in Nigeria, the lawmakers urged Nigerians to tarry a little while for the decision of the Supreme Court.
“Contrary to the wishes of party members, under Sheriff’s temporary leadership, matters that require simple mutual understanding became unnecessarily complex and things unduly degenerated into a series of lawsuits.
“While we shall appreciate every effort geared towards reconciling people and rebuilding the party’s strength and stature, we also acknowledge that individuals’ selfish motivations have injured the party enough.
“In this vein, the PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives has resolved that we shall not, under any condition, consider or approve any agenda aimed at foisting Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff or any of his scanty co-travellers on the PDP.
“The only leadership known to the PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives is, and shall remain the one led by His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
“The caucus is not unmindful of how long the resolution of this crisis has taken, but pleads with Nigerians to tarry a little while, as we await the decision of the Supreme Court.
“Without reservations, the majority of our leaders and members are behind the joint decision taken in Port Harcourt that brought into existence the Ahmed Makarfi Caretaker Committee.
“Observing all the efforts and activities of the Committee so far, especially the strategy review and repositioning efforts – all massively endorsed by the founding fathers, BOT, committee of former Ministers, Governors’ Forum, the party caucuses at the Senate and the House of Representatives – it is abundantly clear where the wishes of our members are and that is where we also stand.
“Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff should please take his hands off our party; we unequivocally endorse the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi,” the PDP caucus noted.
