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Tag: Ahmed Makarfi

  • Stop representing PDP, Sheriff tells Gana

    Stop representing PDP, Sheriff tells Gana

    The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has advised the Prof. Jerry Gana-led Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs Committee to stop speaking for the party.

    Represented by his National Deputy Chairman, Dr Cairo Ojougbo, at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, Sheriff described the Gana-led committee as “illegal”.

    The committee was constituted on Nov. 10, 2016, by the National Caretaker Committee of the party headed by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, which was disbanded by the recent judgment of Appeal Court, Port Harcourt.

    The court, in the judgment declared Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the party.

    The committee had been visiting founding and prominent members of PDP, including former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Chief Tony Anenih, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Sheriff said that the report of the committee, which was submitted to the scrapped national caretaker committee on Feb.17, 2017, would not be useful in the ongoing effort at re-positioning the party.

    “Prof. Jerry Gana going round the country on behalf of the PDP is unacceptable to the party.

    “I have the report of Gana here where he recommended that all members of the Sheriff group should be suspended from the party.

    “We find it very uncomfortable that a person of Jerry Gana’s standing, if actually he wants to help the party as at this time of crisis, would recommend that a faction or members of the party should be expelled for their political beliefs.

    “That is very unbecoming of a man of Gana’s status. So, we take very serious views to his going round as whatever committee he calls himself.

    “The committee was not set up by the party and we are giving notice that forthwith, he should discontinue with it,” Sheriff said.

    On the party’s national convention, Sheriff said that the Standing Committee on Reconciliation’s report submitted by its chairman, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, had been adopted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    He said that the report had become a working document of the party.

    The chairman expressed displeasure over media report that Makarfi, as chairman of the unrecognised caretaker committee said that Dickson’s committee was illegal.

    He insisted that the committee was legal, adding that its recommendations were not Dickson’s but of the committee of the party.

    Sheriff said that majority of the party’s stakeholders were in full support of political resolution to its leadership crisis, except for the caretaker committee, which had vowed to pursue legal approach.

    He, however, assured that the party’s NWC was capable of conducting free, fair and acceptable national convention in due course.

    “The reason why the caretaker committee is protesting is that they have seen that the table is now crumbling fast under their feet.

    “All the organs of the party are cueing into the reconciliation and when the reconciliation pulls through, they are out and Sen. Makarfi can only come as member of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    “They get subvention from the governors every month and when reconciliation happens, the N50 million monthly subventions from governors will stop.

    “Secondly, Makarfi wants a situation where he will tailor-make the convention to suit his interest because he has come out to say that he will be contesting the presidency of the country.

    “We are very mindful that we are not going to tie our party around any individual, and that is why the national chairman, Sheriff said ‘look, I am going to throw everything open’,” he said.

     

  • PDP crisis: Sheriff welcomes political solution

    PDP crisis: Sheriff welcomes political solution

    • As BoT chair warns against divisive tendencies

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff has welcomed the decision of key party stakeholders to find a political solution to the leadership crisis rocking the party.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and governors elected on the platform of the party had, after a meeting Tuesday night, resolved to adopt a political solution to the crisis.

    Sheriff is locked in supremacy battle with the Ahmed Makarfi’s Caretaker Committee, which commands more followership than the Sheriff camp.

    A statement on Wednesday by the Sheriff-backed National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, commended Jonathan and the governors for resolving to settle for a political solution.

    Oladipo’s statement said, “The NWC notes with satisfaction the stand of the body of PDP Governors on the need to adopt a political solution in bringing lasting peace to the party.

    “The NWC restates its readiness to fully participate in the peace process”.

    The statement called on workers at the party secretariat who have stayed away from their duty posts in solidarity with the Makarfi camp, to resume duties immediately.

    Meanwhile, the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin has called on members and supporters of the party to shun divisive tendencies.

    In an SMS message to newsmen on Wednesday, Jibrin urged members to stay away from party meetings with tribal, religious and sectional undertones.

    “Such meetings are suspicious and full of sinister motives aimed at dividing or killing the party. Right from its formation, the PDP has never been portrayed as a northern or southern party.

    “Therefore, nobody should unnecessarily bring in any disagreeable methodology in the handling of the party’s affairs.

    “The PDP is a national party that embraces every Nigerian regardless of tribe or religion. Any attempt to drag members into such divisive meetings will be resisted, considering especially that party leaders are busy trying to find a way forward. Everyone should remain calm refrain from taking any rash decision”, the BoT chair stated.

  • Kaduna PDP vows never to support Sheriff

    Kaduna PDP vows never to support Sheriff

    …Says it’s loyal, answerable to Makarfi

    The Kaduna State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday declared that the party will never support Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff’s led National working committee describing his reinstatement by the appeal court as an act of impunity which is against the constitution of the party.

    The party said its state executives and members are loyal and answerable to Sen. Ahmed Makarfi’s national caretaker committee leadership despite the appeal court judgement as they await Supreme Court verdict.

    State PDP in its communique signed by  Dr. John Ayuba, chairman drafting committee after the part’s meeting in Kaduna, said they stand by the judgement of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt which endorsed the decision of the 21st May, 2016 national convention.

    The communique said Kaduna PDP viewed the split decision of the two justices of the court of appeal that sat in Port Harcourt last month which nullified the decision of the national convention of 21st May,2016 and reinstated the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff led National working committee as a miscarriage of justice and complete negation of the PDP constitution.

    The communique reads in parts: “The Kaduna State chapter of the PDP views the reinstatement of the former Sen. Sheriff led National working committee of the party by the appellate court as an act of impunity which is against the principles of the PDP constitution hence, an attempt to derail the democratic governance of our country”

    “Members of the PDP in Kaduna State should not loose focus of where we are going as we know where we are coming from. We must face the current challenges headlong to ensure that we change the change come 2019″

    While the PDP in Kaduna State remains united, strong, resolute, steadfast and solidly loyal and answerable to the national caretaker committee under the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi”

    “The stakeholders and leaders of the party are enjoined to go back to their senatorial districts, local government areas and wards to convene meetings of the party and disseminate the foregoing to members. However, members are to remain calm, law abiding as they await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the matter,” the communique read.”

     

  • Ihedioha kicks against recognising Sheriff as PDP Chairman

    Ihedioha kicks against recognising Sheriff as PDP Chairman

    Former Deputy Speaker of the  House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, has kicked against recognising Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    National Chairman.

    Ihedioha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Monday that Sheriff by his conduct had failed to show an attitude worthy of uniting and strengthening the party.

    According to him, the conduct, actions, language and temperament displayed by Sherriff has succeeded in planting disunity amongst members.

    “His utterances after the Appeal Court judgment in Port Harcourt created division in the party rather than unit members, this showed that he is not interested in the progress of our party.

    “Sheriff has nothing to show as his contribution toward the growth of our party, both in his state and at the national level.

    “It will interest you to know that Sheriff has never participated in any state or national convention of the PDP.

    “He was only a contractor that was brought into the party to play a leadership role in our trying times and I think that the brief period of three months assigned to him by the party has long expired,” Ihedioha said.

    He said that the party would appeal the court ruling that recognised Sheriff as its national chairman.

    He also assured party members that there were enough evidences at the party’s disposal with which it would claim victory at the apex court.

    Ihedioha, therefore, urged party faithful to continue to support the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi’s PDP which was duly adopted by well meaning party faithful.

    “I believe that the judiciary as an unbiased umpire will deliver fair judgment at the apex court and I know that the judgment will vindicate us by granting Markafi’s victory,” he said. NAN

  • Makarfi still PDP chairman — Ex-PDP ministers

    Makarfi still PDP chairman — Ex-PDP ministers

    The forum of former PDP Ministers, has declared that the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee is still the organ of the party legally charged to handle the affairs of the party.

    Mr Saminu Turaki (SAN) ex-minister of Special Duties, made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen after members of the forum met with former President Goodluck Jonathan on the crisis rocking the party.

    Responding to question posed to him by newsmen, Turaki said: “I am aware that an appeal has being launched against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, yesterday – Monday.

    “With the notice of appeal, I am also aware that application for injunction has been filed.

    “The position of the law in a situation like this is that unless that application is taken and decided one way or another, there is an interim injunction.

    “With that therefore, the caretaker committee (under Ahmed Makarfi) continues as the organ that is legally charged to propel the affairs of this party, – PDP.

    “We are here to exchange our ideas with our former leader, the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, on the situation in our party today.’’

    The former minister described the meeting with Jonathan as “lucid, educative and deepening.’’

    He added that the forum was willing to meet any person or group in the party, including Ali Modu Sheriff genuinely interested in resolving the crisis in the party.

    “So, we will meet, we are opened as far as Ali Modu Sheriff, who is also a member of this political party right now.

    “If we feel that we want to see him with a view to moving this consultation forward, why not?’’ he asked.

    Responding to another question, Turaki said: “what we have in PDP today is not something that is new to Nigerian democracy nor is it something new in other developed and advanced democracies.

    “Even when we allow the court or get to the point where the Supreme Court, will have to make pronouncement, we still need each other; we are friends, we are family, we are brothers and sisters.

    “At the end of the day, even between the tongue and teeth, there could be tense moment but it still does not mean that there will not be reconciliation between them.

    “Politics is about interest, so the way and manner you harmonise this seemingly diametrically opposing views and carry everybody along is what determines the sophistication of the political party concern.

    “And I think PDP will do that.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that in it’s a judgment on Friday, the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, recognised Ali Modu Sheriff as the chairman of the PDP.

    The PDP ex-ministers, who met with Jonathan included Esther Nenadi, Osita Chidoka, John Odey, Bala Mohammed and Ibrahim Shekau. (NAN)

  • Makarfi calls for strong institutional reforms

    Makarfi calls for strong institutional reforms

    Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the Chairman of National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Nigeria needs institutional reforms to serve the interest of the public.

    According to him, this would empower public officers resist undue interference from “selfish politicians”.

    He said that the fight against corruption would succeed when anti-graft institutions are strong, adding that extraneous influences are incapacitating the institutions saddled with the statutory responsibility to prosecute corrupt public officers.

     “I think the bane of our problem in Nigeria is that public institutions generally are serving public leaders; whether you call it the police, the army, the State Security Service (SSS), Customs or Immigration, whatever you may call it.

    “It is not just under this democracy. You can go back to the first republic.

    “Except we reform; the real change we need is to make public institutions serve the people and the country.  What we need really is to protect them and their families.

    “Of course, they owe a larger duty to protect every citizen. Aside from that, they are not to be at the beck and call of the leaders; ‘investigate that person, arrest that person, release that person, do this, do that’. No!

    “If they are independent bodies anything they need to do, they will do it without a call to public officers”.

    On the issue of budgeting, Makarfi said lack of budget implementation continue to affect development in all sectors of the economy.

    He said that it also affected laudable programmes and policies designed by government for the benefit of the ordinary Nigerians.

    Makarfi, who was a former Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, said ‘’budget by itself is nothing if not implemented. You do not just make a bogus budget.

    “It is not the size of the budget that is important, but making a realistic budget and implementing it.”

    He debunked the allegations that corruption perpetrated by the 16 years rule of the PDP was responsible for the current economic crisis in Nigeria.

    “Look at the North, all the northern governors except about three of them; all the rest are from PDP. Go to the national Assembly, more than half of APC members were from PDP and some of the ministers are (of) PDP extraction.

    “It is the same set of people that are in power now. It is only when you are out of power that people can really know whether you are corrupt of not.

    “I assure you, let them also leave power; it will not take a month, you will be shocked about what will be emanating to indicate the level of corruption at states and national level.’’

    Makarfi advised President Muhammadu Buhari to make changes that would reflect his strong character and anti-corruption stance that made people voted him to power.

     

  • Court adjourns PDP leadership suit indefinitely

    Court adjourns PDP leadership suit indefinitely

    The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, established to determine all appeals arising from the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis has again adjourned its proceedings indefinitely.

    The Chairman of the panel, Justice Ibrahim Salaawu, disclosed this to the parties at the resumption of Thursday’s proceedings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel had on November 18 adjourned indefinitely to await the decision of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, on the sister appeal.

    The judge also held that the court’s decision hinged on a notice of motion for stay of proceedings from the Supreme Court served on it by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP.

    Sheriff and the Chairman of the party’ Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, are key figures in the leadership tussle that had engulfed the party for a better part of this year.

     

  • Ondo: Court grants Jegede, Makarfi, Obi leave to appeal judgment

    Ondo: Court grants Jegede, Makarfi, Obi leave to appeal judgment

    …Refuses Sheriff’s, Ibrahim’s request to disband fresh panel

     

    Factional leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi and Ben Obi and the substituted governorship candidate of party in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede recorded major victory before the Court of Appeal in Abuja Thursday.

    The court, in two unanimous rulings by a three-man panel, upheld the applications by Makarfi, Obi (Chairman and Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee) and Jegede for leave to appeal against the June 29, 2016 judgment and October 14, 2016 ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Justice Abang had, in the judgment of June 29, recognised the Ali Modu Sheriff leadership of the PDP as the authentic body to take decisions for the party.

    In the October 14 post-judgment ruling, Justice Abang ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the name of Jimoh Ibrahim (produced by the leadership of the party in Ondo, supported by the Sheriff faction in place of Jegede produced by the Markefi backed faction of the party in Ondo.

    Justice Ibrahim Saulawa (who led the panel) said in the lead ruling in the application by Jegede that he has satisfied the court that he was a necessary party to the case even when he was not a party at the trial court.

    Justice Saulawa held that under Order 7 Rule 3 of the Court of Appeal Rule an interested party to a judgment, who was not a party at the trial court, is allowed to apply to the appellate court for leave to appeal if such an application had been rejected by the lower court.

    He noted that in this case, since the trial court had reject Jegede’s application for leave to appeal, he was right to have file similar application again before the Court of Appeal within the prescribed 15 days.

    As against the argument by lawyer to factional Chairman of PDP in Ondo State, Biyi Poroye and other members of his Executive, Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN) that the June 29 judgment was a consent one, the court held otherwise.

    The court held that since Jegede was not a party at the trial court, he could not have consented to the judgment. It noted that by the record of the court, INEC that was a party at the trial court, did not consent to the judgment.

    “I am satisfied that there are reasonable grounds duly established by the applicant (Jegede) that he be given the opportunity to appeal the judgment.

    “The applicant has duly established that he is the person aggrieved by the decision of the court below, having won the primary of the party,” Justice Saulawa said.

    He granted that application, deemed the notice of appeal and record of proceedings already compiled by the Jegede as properly filed and compiled.

    The courts granted an order departing from its court’s rule and abridge the time within which parties could file their processes.

    It granted the appellant (Jegede) 24 hours within which to file his brief or argument and three days to the respondents to file respondent’s brief.

    The ruling delivered in the application by Jegede, was adopted in the similar applications by Makarfi and Obi.

    In an earlier ruling, the court refused an application by Poroye and others for the disbandment of the fresh panel set up to hear all the appeals on the dispute over the governorship candidate of PDP in Ondo.

    The court held that the decision to set up a special panel to promptly determine the appeals was within the administrative powers of the Court of Appeal President, which cannot be challenged by anyone in court.

    Other members of the panel: Justice Ignatius Igwe Agube and Ita Godwin Mbaba agreed with the lead decisions by Justice Saulawa.

     

  • Makarfi, Sheriff factions close to reconciliation

    Makarfi, Sheriff factions close to reconciliation

    The two feuding factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday met to discuss ways of resolving the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party.

    At a joint briefing in Abuja, the factions led by Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff said they have resolved to put an end to the crisis.

    The Deputy National Chairman of the Sheriff faction, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and the Secretary of the Makarfi led Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi, represented the two factions at the briefing.

    A statement jointly signed by Makarfi and Sheriff was read by Ojougboh and corroborated by Obi at the briefing.

    The statement said, “At a meeting held this morning between Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff, a holistic review of the state of affairs of our great party, the PDP was deliberated upon.

    “The meeting was held in a most convivial atmosphere of brotherhood and understanding in the best interest of our great country, Nigeria and the sustenance of multi-party democracy.

    “In reviewing the crisis that has engulfed our party since the loss of the 2015 general elections, after 16 years of uninterrupted leadership at the centre, it became obvious to both of us as principal actors that it is time to heal the wounds and bring about a united, focused and constructive opposition party that can bring sanity to our democratic process, bringing relief to the teeming supporters of our great party, the PDP and to the benefit of our country.”

    The statement added that the two factions would consult widely with all relevant organs of the party and also set up a joint committee to carry out a holistic reconciliation of all aggrieved segments of the party across the nation.

  • Wike, Okowa, Makarfi storm Edo for governorship poll

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, arrived Edo State on Tuesday in readiness for the September 10 governorship election in the state.

    Also in the state are Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa; Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin and the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd), amongst others.

    Wike, who spoke at a meeting of PDP leaders, said the party’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, will win Saturday’s election but cautioned that “the battle will not be an easy one.”

    The governor urged PDP members to be united and committed in order to win the election.

    He said Saturday’s election is a battle to liberate Edo and urged party supporters to be wise in their relationship with security operatives and endeavor to do the right thing at every polling unit so that the true results will come out.

    He said, “PDP is on ground in Edo and therefore we should not be intimidated. We have come to give you the moral support so that you will emerge victorious. But you must be united and work as a team because this is your last opportunity.

    “Freedom is not easy to get. When you want to get freedom, you must make sacrifice. The election in Edo requires sacrifice and commitment. You will be intimidated, therefore prepare yourself.”

    Wike asked PDP party agents at all polling units to be alert and attentive throughout period of the election.