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Tag: Ahmed Makarfi

  • PDP to hold non-elective convention August 12

    PDP to hold non-elective convention August 12

    …Sacks Sheriff’s structures in Jigawa, Benue, others

     

    The national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced August 12, 2017 date for a non-elective national convention slated to hold in Abuja.

    The tenure of the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee is to expire on August 16, 2017. The non-elective convention is expected to extend Makarfi’s tenure to allow the Caretaker Committee conduct an elective convention before the end of the year.

    The decision was arrived at on Tuesday, following series of consultative meetings involving the party’s National Caucus, the Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and members of the Caretaker Committee.

    Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, spokesman of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, explained that time constraint forced the party to opt for non-elective convention.

    According to him, given the August 16 expiration of the tenure of the Caretaker Committee, it would be practically impossible to meet timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution for the conduct of elective convention.

    Going by relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, the party is required within 21 days, to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in writing informing the commission of a pending elective convention.

    As of Tuesday, the Makarfi-led leadership, which was only affirmed by the Supreme Court on July 12, has lost the 21-day window.

    Also, one of the resolutions taken was the decision to disband the caretaker committees set up in Jigawa and Benue States by the sacked National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff shortly after he was declared chairman by the Court of Appeal in February 2017.

    The two state chapters have been directed to revert to their existing executive committees prior to their dissolution by Sheriff.

    Many other states where parallel executives were set up by Sheriff are also to revert to their original status.

    The party also announced plans to set up standing Disciplinary Committee and Reconciliation Committee to handle issues of discipline and reconciliation among members.

    Adeyeye said the two committees would have no time frame and will permanently remain recognised bodies of the party.

    The spokesman gave hints of amendment to a number of provisions of the party’s constitution, saying that draft of the proposed amendment had already been circulated to the relevant organs of the party for their scrutiny and input ahead of the August 12 convention.

    According to him, the proposed amendment will be geared toward entrenching internal democracy and to check the culture of impunity within the party.

    Adeyeye said the party will participate actively in the governorship election in Anambra State billed to hold in November, stressing that consultations were already ongoing.

    He however said the meeting did not discuss the Lagos State local government election coming up on Saturday, saying that the matter has been left to the Lagos state chapter of the party to handle.

    The meetings, which were held at the party’s secretariat attracted unprecedented number of party faithful across the six geopolitical zones in recent times.

    The hitherto deserted building had sprung to life minutes after the Supreme Court pronounced Makarfi the authentic leader of the PDP on July 12.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and all the governors elected on the platform of the party attended the meetings, same with members in the National Assembly.

    Also in attendance were former governors, ex ministers, past party chairmen and other former executive members.

    Sheriff and his loyalists however stayed away from the meetings.

  • Nigerians were worried for PDP – Jonathan

    Nigerians were worried for PDP – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan said on Monday that Nigerians still have confidence in the capacity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the country.

    Jonathan stated this at the expanded National Caucus meeting of the party held at Wadata House, Abuja.

    He said Nigerians were worried that the party would go down.

    The ex-President said this confidence in the PDP was demonstrated with reactions by Nigerians to last Wednesday’s Supreme Court’s judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.

    He urged that efforts by PDP members and supporters within this period should be channelled towards building the party.

    Jonathan said: “Nigerians still believe in the PDP because when the Supreme Court judgment was given, I was so surprised because some of the people called and sent text messages to me.

    “They are not even politicians but they are so happy that PDP has come on stream because they were worried that PDP will go down.

    “So, if people who are not even members of PDP are so happy that PDP has now gotten a platform to operate despite the negative propaganda against us, it means people still believe in PDP.

    “PDP is a party that Nigerians still believe in.”

    He appealed to party members to rebuild it, assuring that many people who stepped aside from the party as a result of its leadership crisis would return.

    The ex-President added: “The first thing we need to do is to rebuild the party because when the party is strong, everything will be added to that.

    Whether you have individual or group interest, as a politician, you must serve. These are very basic things, but first and foremost, we must strengthen the party – Jonathan.

    “Let us cooperate with the Caretaker Committee and make sure that PDP is very cohesive. And when that happens, people who stepped aside may step back.

    “We may not even need to go on a voyage of discovery to discover people. But they, themselves will come back because a strong party acts like a magnet.

    “It will attract all the people that are interested.”

    The Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, said only a miracle would stop PDP from regaining power in 2019.

    Makarfi said the meeting was convened to chart the way forward for the party.

  • We are still members of PDP, says Ojouigboh

    We are still members of PDP, says Ojouigboh

    Dr Cairo Ojouigboh, Deputy National Vice Chairman of the defunct Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff faction  of the PDP has said they are still members of the party despite the recent Supreme Court judgement.

    Ojouigboh said this  in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Warri shortly after meeting with some members who  were loyal to the former Chairman of the party.

    Ojouigboh, however, said that they were awaiting the receipt of the Supreme Court judgement for their lawyers to study and advise appropriately.

    “For now, we are still members of the party and we will be ready to work for the success of PDP in future elections.

    “We are PDP members and faithful ones. We are awaiting the written judgement and wait for the advise of our lawyers,”  he said.

    Ojouigboh urged the party faithfuls in Delta return to the grassroots and woo people to strengthen  the party while they await directive from the former executive of the party.

    On his part the Delta factional chairman of the party,  Mr Austin Ogbabunor, urged the former leadership of the party to note the challenges of the party in the state and integrate them into the party.

    Ogbabunor, however, said that they would not hesitate to form their own party should the PDP in Delta refuse to absorb them.

    The Supreme Court has declared the Chairmanof the National Caretaker Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic leader of the party.

  • The battle we fought was not for PDP alone – Makarfi

    The battle we fought was not for PDP alone – Makarfi

    Leaders and key stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are excited over yesterday’s victory of the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee at the Supreme Court.

    After consultations, the stakeholders declared that with the victory over Sheriff, the PDP is poised to reclaim the presidency in 2019.

    Describing the victory as one for democracy and the people, Makarfi said it also signified the supremacy of party men and women to decide their destiny.

    Said he: “This victory is not just for PDP; it’s for democracy. This affirms the powers of political parties. This affirms the powers of the convention of all political parties.

    “The battle we fought was not a battle for PDP alone. It was a battle for democracy; it was a battle for supremacy of party men and women to decide their destiny. And it’s a battle to do away with dictatorship in political parties and this will never repeat itself.

    “We thank the rest of party men and women across Nigeria for their loyalty and steadfastness. We must thank and appreciate the judiciary for the wonderful job it has done. We never lost faith in the judiciary. We have always been saying that ultimately justice will be done.”

    Makarfi said the party’s doors would remain open for reconciliation with Sheriff and other aggrieved members, including those that dumped the PDP during the crisis.

    “We must be open to reconciliation. But there’s a caveat: reconciliation does not mean we take what belongs to people and give it to you. Reconciliation must be based on equity, equality, and values.

    “With this caveat, we should be prepared and willing to reconcile with everybody. Anybody that can meet these criteria, we should be willing and open to reconciliation with such a person no matter who they are.

    “And I assured you that those who have been waiting for this judgment were not just PDP. The whole of Nigeria today was waiting for this judgment. And the eagle has landed.

    “We are going to consult within the next two to three days. And come up with a programme of meetings between  Monday and  Tuesday. And these meetings will include Expanded Caucus, BoT and NEC so that we can take some far-reaching decisions on how to take the party forward,” Makarfi added.

    He called on Muslims and Christians to continue to pray for ailing President Muhammadu Buhari and PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, who suffered a stroke about two days ago.

    To Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, the judgment has placed the party in good stead to return to power in 2019.

    According to him, the party would make maximum use of its resurgence. Power, he said, has remained dormant under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayose

    He chided the ruling party for what he described as its inability to sustain the power given to it by Nigerians in the 2015 elections, saying “today is a new dawn for Nigeria”.

    Fayose, who spoke in Abuja after the judgment, said governance would take its rightful place under the leadership of the PDP.

    The governor also said the Makarfi camp would not engage Sheriff and his loyalists in any further struggle, but efforts would be made to reconcile them with the new leadership.

    Fayose pleaded for unity and cooperation with the Makarfi leadership. He cautioned against mutual suspicion and mistrust that triggered the crisis in the first place.

    Said he: “I urge us to support the Makarfi-led committee. The committee cannot please all of us. So please, let us stop suspecting ourselves. Some will lead, some will follow. So let’s give the committee support.”

    Former ministers described the judgment as one of the most celebrated cases in the nation’s history.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, the chairman of the Forum Tanimu said: “The judgment is hope for democracy. The opposition will continue to survive. Without opposition, those in government won’t be able to sit up and do the work that is expected of them.”

  • Supreme Court declares Makarfi as authentic PDP Chair

    Supreme Court declares Makarfi as authentic PDP Chair

    The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    A five-man panel of the apex court in its judgment delivered on Wednesday, reinstated Ahmed Makarfi, as the authentic National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It can be recalled that the Ahmed Makarfi Led-National Working Committee, NWC, was earlier sacked by the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal.

    According to the court, the appointment of Makarfi-led caretaker committee is in line with the constitution of the party.

    “The caretaker committee of the PDP led by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi is hereby affirmed as the authentic national leadership of the party.

    “The judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division delivered on Feb.27 is hereby set aside,’’ Justice Rhodes-Vivou held.

    The panel awarded N250, 000 cost against Sheriff.

    Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau attended the session.

    Many party faithful and chieftains including Markafi, Sen. Ben Obi, Chief Bode George, Chief Dayo Adeyeye, Prof. Jerry Gana, among others were also present in court.

    The judgment of the apex court unanimously agreed to the lead judgment by Justice Rhodes-Vivour.

    Other members of the panel are, Justices Onnoghen, Tanko Muhammad, Kayode Ariwoola and Dattijo Muhammad.

  • Supreme Court rules on PDP crisis Wednesday

    Supreme Court rules on PDP crisis Wednesday

    The Supreme Court will on Wednesday resolve the lingering leadership dispute plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    This was contained in hearing notices sent to parties in the dispute by the court’s registry on Monday.

    The Supreme Court on May 25 reserved judgment on the appeal challenging the affirmation of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the PDP.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who presided over the case, reserved the judgment after counsel to parties adopted their written addresses.

    Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP Caretaker Committee had on March 16 filed the appeal against Sheriff’s position as PDP chairman.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt on February 27 declared Sheriff as authentic national chairman of the party.

    Counsel to Sheriff, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), described Makarfi’s appeal as abuse of court process.

    He said Makarfi failed to seek the leave of court before filing the application.

    Olujimi also submitted that the Makarfi’s faction seized to be recognised following the appeal court’s judgment.

    Makarfi’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN), prayed the court to disregard the argument advanced by Sheriff’s counsel, adding that the submissions were baseless.

     

  • Osun bye-election: PDP’s victory evidence of unity, hard work – Makarfi

    Osun bye-election: PDP’s victory evidence of unity, hard work – Makarfi

    The Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, has described the party’s success in Saturday’s Osun West Senatorial bye-election as evidence of unity and hard work among its members.

    Makarfi made the observation in a statement signed by the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, on Sunday in Abuja.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared Mr Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, the winner of the bye-election held in 10 local government areas.

    The winner, who is the younger brother of the late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, had 97, 480 votes to defeat a former Senator, Mudashiru Hussein of the APC, who had 66, 116 votes.

    Makarfi also said that the victory showed continued acceptance of the PDP.

    “The successful outcome of this election is an evidence of hard work, dedication and the unity of all members of PDP in Osun.

    “They buried their temporary differences in the overall interest of the party and the good people of Osun.

    “We are confident that the PDP remains the party to beat in elections.

    “As we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we urge all our members to unite in the interest of Nigerian,” he said.

    He also congratulated Adeleke on his victory.

    He also hailed the people of Osun West for voting for Adeleke and for conducting themselves peacefully during the election.

  • PDP crisis: Supreme Court reserves judgment 

    PDP crisis: Supreme Court reserves judgment 

    …To communicate date to parties

     

    The Supreme Court reserved judgment Monday in the appeal filed the sacked National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Ahmed Makarfi.

    The Makarfi Committee is by the appeal, challenging the February 17 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port-Harcourt division declaring among others, that the Makarfi-led Committee is illegal.

    Monday, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen took arguments from parties and informed that that judgment has been reserved, and that a date will be communicated to them.

    At the commencement of argument Monday, the court invited lawyer to the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP to move his application, with which he sought the striking out of the appeal.

    Fagbemi argued that the judgment of the Court of Appeal having not be set aside, Sheriff and members of the executive committee remained the alter ego of the party and that only them could validly file any court process in the name of the party.

    “In urging your Lordships to grant the application, I will say that the point here is not about the locus of counsel but about the competence of the appeal, whether it was filed with authority or not and whether or not the party in whose name the appeal was filed has a right to withdraw the appeal.

    “PDP is a corporate body, therefore the corporate personality is defined in terms of the (party’s) constitution, which gives power, and the decision of the lower court that has not been set aside or suspended.

    “If the party, through its directing minds, led by Ali Modu Sheriff and backed by the constitution of the party and the judgment of the Court of Appeal, have withdrawn the appeal, there is evidence that they exercised their rights and their powers rightly.

    “Whoever is interested in the appeal can only come as an interested party and not to file an appeal in the name of the party,” Fagbemi said.

    Lawyer to the Makarfi-led Committee, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) urged the court to grant his client’s appeal, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and also dismiss the application seeking the striking of the appeal.

    “I urge your lordships not only to dismiss this application but to do so with heavy cost.

    “Apart from Rule 29 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 27(1) and (4) of the rules also demonstrate that the application is incompetent and the Supreme Court does not even have the vires to countenance it.”

    Olanipekun noted that Niyi Akintola (SAN), who represented Sheriff and Oladipo against the PDP at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal and who still represented the same clients at the Supreme Court could not decide who should represent the PDP at the apex court.

    He said: “Appeal is a continuation of hearing. The initiator of this application has shot themselves in both legs. Are they saying they were respondents to a a non-competent respondent (the PDP) at the lower court? It is short of words to say it is abuse of process.”

    Olanipekun prayed the court to grant his appeal and set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

    Lawyer to Sheriff and Prof Wole Oladipo, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), aligned with Fagbemi’s submission in relation to his application.

    Olujinmi added that he had in his preliminary objection raised a similar issue of lack of authority on the part of the Makarfi committee to file the appeal.

    He said: “In urging your lordships to grant the application filed by Lateef Fagbemi, we rely on all these processes and my own application filed on March 16, 2017. I rely on all the processes that I have identified.

    “The issue we have raised in the application relates to the lack of authority of the people who brought the appeal. It is fundamental.

    “The issue is very narrow and your lordships will have to consider whether the appeal is filed in the name of the PDP without authority is competent.

    “The issue of counsel who represented the various parties at the lower court is irrelevant. Apart from lack of authority to file the appeal, there are no grounds to sustain the appeal.

    “I urge your lordship to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit and for being incompetent.”

    On point of law, Fagbemi contended that Rule 29 of Rules of Professional Conduct referred to by Olanipekun “does not apply to the competence of the application seeking the striking out of the appeal.”

    Earlier court reelected the objection by Sheriff’s lawyer to the motion by the Makarfi committee seeking leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and filed.

    The court proceeded to grant the application after dismissing objection and deemed the appeal as properly filed.

    Other members of the court’s panel Justices Tanko Muhammad, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Kayode Ariwoola and Dattiji Muhammad.

    Prominent members of the party, representing both sides of the dispute were in court to witness proceedings.

    Sheriff and Makarfi were in court in person. They sat on opposing sides of the large courtroom.

    Some of those who accompanied Sheriff were the Deputy National Chairman of the faction, Cairo Ojugo, and Oladipo (Secretrary).

    Those who came with Makarfi included a former Vice Chairman of the party (South West), Chief Bode George, the present occupant of the position in the faction, Chief Eddy Olafeso, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Dayo Adeyeye and Tom Ikimi.

     

  • PDP Crisis: Supreme Court judgement favours Makarfi faction

    PDP Crisis: Supreme Court judgement favours Makarfi faction

    The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed an application filed by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff, asking the apex court not to hear the appeal presented by the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi.

    The duo are battling for the party leadership position.

    A Federal High Court has earlier confirmed Sheriff as authentic chairman of the PDP.

    Details later…

  • We didn’t advise PDP members to defect to other parties – Makarfi’s faction

    We didn’t advise PDP members to defect to other parties – Makarfi’s faction

    The Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied advising its members to defect to other political parties.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the faction said there was no such directive from the camp.

    “Our statement was very clear and unambiguous, which was to the effect that we are in court and have absolute faith and confidence in the judiciary to dispense justice without fear or favour.

    “We are aware that PDP is being disenfranchised in some elections and that different states have adopted different approaches to the issue without prejudice to the substantive matter before the court. Our members are enjoined to continue to demonstrate total commitment and loyalty to the party,” Adeyeye said.

    The Makarfi group had in a statement issued on Tuesday by Adeyeye, accused the Ali Modu Sheriff camp of creating factions in the various state chapters with the view to compromising the chances of PDP candidates in local government elections in different parts of the country.

    “It is also important to state at this point that Senator Sheriff and his cohorts have been creating factional chapters in different states of the federation in order to compromise our chances in the local government elections

    “In the circumstances and with no hope of the Ali Modu Sheriff problem abating before the Supreme Court judgment, we are left with no choice than to consider ways by which our members will not be disenfranchised in these elections.

    “However our position is not to choose a platform for any state where true PDP candidates are denied the opportunity to stand for the elections. State chapters are allowed to take any decision they consider appropriate,” Adeyeye said in the statement.

    In a counter reaction, the Sheriff camp called on loyal party members to ignore the call by the Makarfi group, describing the group as “destroyers of our much cherished party.”

    The statement, signed by the spokesman of the Sheriff camp, Mr. Bernard Mikko, said “we equally call on all members who are desirous of contesting elections to use our party; the PDP and be rest assured of level playing field guaranteed by internal party democracy.

    “It is now clear that having failed to convince members to follow them to their proposed new party, Makarfi and his con travelers have resorted to using everything available to destroy our party.

    “This new antic will also fail and we assure all our aspirants that the end to impunity and imposition of candidates is insight.”