The choice of a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, as the new national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has split the party, as the Board of Trustees has strongly opposed his endorsement by some organs of the party.
Although the party’s national caucus, National Working Committee (NWC), PDP Governors Forum and National Assembly caucus had unanimously endorsed Sheriff as PDP chairman, some members of the BoT opposed it on the grounds that they were not comfortable with it.
A member of the BoT, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told BusinessDay that they needed a candidate with impeccable character, adding that he would give the party an image problem.
The former federal lawmaker was accused of being a sponsor to the Islamic sect Boko Haram by an Australian hostage negotiator, Steven Davies.
PDP national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, had earlier explained on Tuesday that the list of candidates for the position was pruned from an initial 29 candidates to five as of Monday.
He said besides Sheriff, other candidates screened by the national caucus include Wilberforce Juta, Saidu Kumo, Girgiri Lawan, Shehu Gabam and Muhammed Wakil.
He added that the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and governorship candidate of PDP in Adamawa State, Nuhu Ribadu, declined to face the panel, pointing out that his wishes were respected.
However, about two hours after briefing journalists at the party’s national secretariat, Metuh dashed into the press centre to inform newsmen that the BoT did not reach a consensus about Sheriff’s choice.
This, he said, has made it impossible to present him to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for ratification.
As of the time of filing this report, the BoT is yet to take a decision as members of the BoT had stormed out of the venue.
According to him, consultations are ongoing with a view to reaching a compromise.
In line with provisions of the party’s constitution, a party member from the North East zone is expected to complete the tenure of Adamu Mu’azu who resigned in May 2015 after the party’s defeat in the last presidential election.
As of the time of filing this report at 6:55pm, the NEC is still meeting to deliberate over Sheriff’s nomination.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE
