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Tag: Ali Modu Sheriff

  • How Boko Haram kept me out of Borno for 4 years, by Modu-Sheriff

    Former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, on Friday said that he was kept out of state for four years, as a result, the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

    He also disclosed the evil activities of the terrorist group prevented the state from delivering less than two million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23 presidential election

    Speaking with State House correspondents after Friday Jumaat prayers and a closed-door meeting with President Buhari, Modu- Sheriff noted those that contested against President in the election do not have up to ten percent of Buhari’s integrity.

    According to him, the 836,496 votes scored by the President in the state were below expectation.

    He said: “I don’t know why the PDP is grumbling where the registered voters are more than two million and we only gave the President 830,000.

    “As a governor, the President got over a million votes in Borno; why didn’t they complain then?

    “They are just crying foul for nothing. This election was the most transparent election that ever took place in the history of Nigeria and I stand to be corrected. They should just embrace peace.

    “The President has said that he is going to carry everyone along; they should accept their defeat and re-plan for 2023 if we are all alive. But this election has been won and won transparently.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari within the last four years has done more than what any other president has done in this country.

    “He came into power when the oil price was less than $30 at a stage. I am not surprised about the victory because Nigerians are very smart people; we know what is good for our country; we know the right thing to do at any given point in time.

    “If you look at the antecedents of all the people that contested elections with President Buhari, none has ten percent of his credibility.

    “This is a man that is not interested in what every Nigerian is interested in, to grab wealth and enrich themselves.

    “He is there for the Nigerian people; he believes Nigeria should be better than where we are.

    “He had a very simple message at the campaigns: that we have started fighting corruption, building the economy and lives of Nigerians need to be improved.”

    Read also: BORNO: Sheriff’s supporters flay indirect primary

    He added: “The message resonated with Nigerians because, for instance, I did not go to my village for four years before the 2015 elections. Boko Haram had occupied all our local government areas in Borno but today, you can drive to any part of Borno.

    “So whatever the people of Borno did for Mr. President last Saturday, we are only saying thank you for what he has done. If the atmosphere was clearer, Borno would have produced two million votes.”

    On the allegation by the opposition that the election was not transparent, he said: “Why didn’t they complain when they won all southeastern states?

    “The South East came out to vote for their son who is the vice presidential candidate in that election, but you don’t blame them.

    “Northern Nigeria, we have our father, brother and son as a candidate and we also came out en masse to support him; there is no issue about it. If they don’t accept it they can go to court.”

  • APC block Sheriff’s come-back bid

     

    Says membership cards only issued at ward levels

     

    The much publicized return of the former factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to materialize on Thursday as the National leadership of the party told him in clear terms that membership card can only be issued to him at the ward level.

    The National however gathered that leaders of three party in Borno stage and the north east geopolitical zone may have moved against the planned return of the former Borno state governor on the fear that he might hijack the forth coming party congresses.

    Journalists who converged at the APC national Secretariat to report the entry of Sheriff into the party were disappointed as he failed to show up, especially when non of the members of the National Working Committee were around as at 1.00pm, one clear hour after Sheriff was supposed to have arrived the secretariat.

    However, in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed it was aware of the intention of Sheriff to return the party, but asked him to return to his ward.

    The two paragraphed statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in some sections of the media that the former factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. 

    “While we are aware of such intentions, we wish to restate our earlier position that anyone who wants to join the Party should do so at the ward level. We are happy to welcome new members to our party, but membership cards are not issued at the Party National Secretariat.”

    However, the Chairman of the party in Borno state, Hon. Ali Bukar Dolori dismissed reports of the likely return of the former governor to the party, saying somebody was trying to fly a kite as a way of testing the waters. 

    He said that the National leadership of the party has no right to receive anybody into the party without following the constitutionally provision which stipulates that membership should be from the ward level.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Dolori said: “We have read news on the social media that the former governor of our state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff will be received by our national, chairman at the headquarters of our great party.

    “I want to assure you that the news remains rumour because somebody is only trying to fly a kite that is capable of causing dangerous confusion during the state congresses in Borno state.

    “We are aware of that well articulated plan and we are ready to defend any attempt towards destroying our party, APC at any level and in any state, not just Borno. We shall conduct our congresses peacefully without any rancour and I assure you that nobody can create any faction for our party in Borno state during the congresses expected in less than two weeks.

    “I want also to draw your attention to the relevant section of APC constitution that deals with eligibility for members. Article 9.1 (ii) of the APC constitution states that application for membership shall be made to and cleared by the ward executiveś of the party in the local government area where the person was born, resides, works or originates. Online registration shall also be acceptable provided that it is cleared by the National Working Committee of the party.

    “Subsection iii states that where an application is refused, the applicant may as of right Appeal to the local government area executive committee of the party or to the National Secretary or National Chairman in case of online registration.

    So, I don’t see how the National Chairman can receive any person into the party when the constitution is clear about the process in that regard. There is no membership registration at the party.”

  • Sheriff’s man locked out of PDP convention venue

    The immediate past National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju, was prevented from accessing the Eagle Square venue of the party national convention on Saturday.

    The party had earlier blocked him from contesting for the position of National Treasurer by rejecting his nomination papers over tax related problems.

    Adeyanju, who remained outside the venue hours into the proceedings, said the screening committee set up by the party for the convention deliberately schemed him out of the exercise.

    Speaking with journalists outside the convention venue, Adeyanju accused Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, of being responsible for his travail.

    According to him, the party’s screening committee had rejected his tax clearance certificate even though the document remained valid till December 2017.

    The party also said he has no voter card, even when he tendered his valid voter card before the committee.

    Displaying the original copy of his valid tax certificate and voter card before journalists, Adeyanju lamented that all efforts to make the screening committee see reason proved abortive.

    It is believed that Adeyanju was excluded from the exercise due to his roles in the 14- month leadership crisis that rocked the PDP under Ali Modu Sheriff.

    Adeyanju and the then National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo were on the side of Sheriff and they featured prominently in the various court cases against the Ahmed Makarfi -led National Caretaker Committee of the party.

    But responding to questions on his involvement with Sheriff, a distraught Adeyanju said it was wrong for the party leadership to victimize him based on his past roles in the PDP crisis.

    “When there are divisions in the leadership, people follow different groups or individuals. But when the crisis was resolved, we should all be allowed to join the winning group without victimization,” Adeyanju said.

     

     

  • Sheriff cost us Ondo 2016 governorship poll – PDP

    Sheriff cost us Ondo 2016 governorship poll – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State said on Tuesday it lost the 2016 governorship election held in the state to the All Progressives Party (APC) due to the conspiracy of its former National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The state Chairman of the party, Clement Faboyede, stated this while welcoming a National Chairmanship aspirant of PDP, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to the party secretariat in Akure.

    Dokpesi was on a campaign tour to the state capital.

    Faboyede, who noted that PDP lost the election not because of its unpopularity but due to the protracted leadership tussle between Sheriff and the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi.

    He lamented that there was no preparations for the election because of various litigations which deprived the party of opportunity to mobilise voters.

    He expressed optimism that the party would return to power in 2019.

    He also described Dokpesi as a loyal party man that deserves the position of PDP national chairman.

  • PDP chairmanship: Why I support Bode George – Adewale

    PDP chairmanship: Why I support Bode George – Adewale

    A former factional Chairman of PDP in Lagos State, Mr Segun Adewale, has said that he is supporting Chief Olabode George for the chairmanship seat of the party in spite of their political disagreements.

    Adewale told reporters in Lagos on Sunday that supporting George, a former PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-West) for the exalted party position was the right thing to do politically.

    He said that though he had some issues with George in the state chapter of the party, he would still support him for the position.

    “I am supporting Bode George to be the next chairman of the party despite our differences.

    “The disagreements I have with him are local disagreements and not national. My support goes for his national aspiration.

    “My support is based on his promise that he would not interfere in the affairs of the party at the state level, which was the major cause of the friction.

    “Moreover, Bode George is a chieftain from Lagos,” he said.

    George and Adewale had been at loggerheads over the former’s support for another factional chairman, Mr Moshood Salvador, in the state.

    Salvador had, before the resolution of the party ‘s leadership tussle by the Supreme Court, aligned with Chief Ahmed Makarfi, National Caretaker Chairman of the party, while Adewale supported Sen. Ali -Modu Sheriff.

    Adewale has, however, pledged support for Makarfi following his affirmation as PDP National Chairman by the Supreme Court on July 12.

    He had said that the ruling did not affect his leadership of the party in Lagos State.

    His insistence to stay at the state’s secretariat deepened his friction with George who said Salvador was the authentic chairman based on the ruling.

    The national leadership of the party later directed Adewale to surrender the keys to the secretariat to George. He has complied with the directive.

    Owing to the leadership crisis, the party announced the dissolution of the state executive committee at a non- elective congress in Port Harcourt and replaced it with a caretaker committee.

    In spite of these, Adewale was present at George’s declaration for the party’s chairmanship position on Friday in Lagos.

    PDP congress to elect new national executives will hold on Dec. 9.

    NAN

  • 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.

  • ‘I would have burnt my PDP card if Sheriff won’

    ‘I would have burnt my PDP card if Sheriff won’

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, said he would have burnt his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card if the court had declared Ali Modu Sheriff chairman of the party.

    He said that he would have also destroyed the party’s flag in his possession.

    Fayose, who returned to the state on Friday after the Wednesday’s Supreme Court session, stated this while addressing PDP supporters in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said that he would have destroyed his membership card of the party and the flag right at the court premises if the verdict had been in favour of Sheriff.

    “I never imagined myself being in the same party with impostors,” he said.

    The governor, however, said that Sheriff and his followers had been forgiven but won’t go scot-free for causing the party members so much pain.

    “I went to court with a perfume which I wanted to use to spray my cards and party flags and set them ablaze even within the court premises if Sheriff had won; that was why I went to court.

    “Although I believe that we remain the same PDP family, no one can cause our party such pains and embarrassment and expect that he will go without being asked to account for his actions.

    “The no victor, no vanquished’ that we said was a mere political slogan. Whoever that participated in this charade must show some reasonable level of remorse for his actions,” he said.

  • 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.

     

  • PDP mourns Suntai, former Taraba governor

    PDP mourns Suntai, former Taraba governor

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the late former governor of Taraba, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, as an outstanding and professional man.

    Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the Deputy PDP National Chairman in Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction, said this on Wednesday.

    “We are proud of late Suntai. He left his profession and became a politician in order to bring quality to governance.

    “This, he exhibited, while in office until the unfortunate plane crash incident.
    “Suntai represented PDP well and are very proud of him.”

    Ojougboh said that until his death Suntai never gave up as he was involved in the struggle for the progress of PDP and Nigeria.

    He said that the PDP commiserated with the family of late Suntai, the people and government of Taraba state on the great lost.

    Suntai, 56, who has been receiving treatment in hospital across the world since he was involved in a plane crash in October 2012 died in Houston, Florida, in the United States on Wednesday.

    Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Darius Ishaku on Public Affairs had confirmed the incident to NAN on telephone on Wednesday.