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Tag: Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff

  • Sheriff predicts victory for PDP in Osun bye-election

    Sheriff predicts victory for PDP in Osun bye-election

    The National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff,   has predicted the victory of the party in the Osun West bye-election holding on Saturday.

    He said beginning of the transformation of PDP in Osun State would be established at the poll, adding that the “PDP in Osun is now one.”

    Addressing the PDP supporters at a campaign rally for the Osun West senatorial by-election at Apomu in Isokan Local Government Area of the state, Sheriff said: “Today is the day that begins the transformation of the PDP, Osun state PDP are intact today and that  also shows that unity has come to Osun state,l. I want this unity to continue after Adeleke’s election. I am sure my friend, Senator Iyiola Omisore will agree with me.”

    He introduced the party’s candidate, the younger brother of late Isiaka Adeleke, Ademola, as the party flag bearer for the senatorial bye-election, urging people of the town to vote for PDP.

    Also speaking at the rally, the Osun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodi, rallied support of party members for the candidature of Ademola Adeleke.

    Adagunodo, who charged the people to embark on house to house campaign to convince the electorate to vote for the party’s candidate, advised them to monitor their votes from the polling booth to the final collation center in Iwo, the senatorial district headquarters, in other to avoid manipulation of results.

    The party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, implored the party supporters to vote for him to end the tenure of the All Progressive Congress, the party which he he said had held the state by the jugular in the last seven years.

    He promised to continue with the giant strides of his late brother, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, also pleading to disburse N25 million scholarship for each of the ten local governments in the senatorial district if in voted as senator.

    PDP chieftains in attendance at the rally include the party’s National Secretary, Prof.  Wale Oladipo, former Osun State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Senator Iyiola Omisore, House of Member representing Ibokun/Oriade, Hon.Oluwole Oke, Barr. Kayode Oduoye, Senator Olasunkumi Akinlabi, former Osun State PDP chairman,  Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, among others.

     

  • PDP: Jonathan calls for political solution

    PDP: Jonathan calls for political solution

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had constituted a committee to find a political solution to its leadership crisis.

    He told newsmen in Abuja that constitution of the committee was a major outcome of a stakeholders meeting of the party’s members held on Thursday.

    Jonathan, who convened the meeting, said that the committee would be chaired by him and had two weeks to submit recommendations for consideration by the stakeholders.

    He said that in his absence, the committee would be chaired by former Vice President, Nnamadi Sambo or Sen David Mark.

    Jonathan said that PDP leaders believed that various matters of the party before the courts would be resolved in the next few months but that the party would not surrender its powers entirely to the court.

    “We will take some steps to make sure that we will keep our people together and work with all the interested parties to see how we can resolve this difference.’’

    He listed members of the committee as six from of the Board of Trustees – one per geo-political zone as well as six each from the two groups within the party.

    Others members, according to him, are all PDP governors, Deputy President of the Senate, Senate Minority Leader, House of Representatives Minority Leader and Minority Whip.

    “We will consult with both groups and take two former governors – one from the North and one from the South; two former ministers, two women, two youths – all will be one from the north and one from the South,’’ he added.

    Jonathan expressed optimism that when the committee met, minor issues experienced during the stakeholders meeting would be resolved.

    “Be assured that we are determined to restore our party, and to make sure that PDP becomes stronger and stronger. We are determined to ensure that PDP rises again,’’ he said.

    Earlier at the opening of the meeting, Jonathan had urged PDP leaders to make personal and general sacrifices to ensure quick resolution of the party’s problems.
    He described PDP as a symbol of democracy and said that there was no sacrifice too big for anybody who believed in the party to make.

    “As politicians with the zeal to lead our people, we must aspire to higher offices or identify the people we believe have leadership qualities and encourage them to aspire to those positions.

    “But one thing is very clear, you cannot, as the polity is configured today, be elected into a higher office on the platform of a weak party.

    “We must all, therefore, work to rebuild the PDP and strengthen the party in line with the vision of our founding fathers.’’

    He reminded the members that the prolongation of the party’s crisis had cost them so much in election fortunes, in recent times.

    “The loss of Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections is still fresh in our memory.

    “It goes without saying that we cannot afford to have a repeat of that in the forthcoming elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.’’

    He, therefore, said that it was high time the members buried their hatchet, suppressed their ego and prepared to make sacrifices in the interest of PDP and the country.

    “We must realise that as they say, everybody is nobody without a platform. So, why destroy the platform?’’

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jubrin, urged the party leaders to embrace strategies that would regain the party’s lost glory.

    “We must be able to bring ourselves together and forget our differences for the sake of the party. We must be ready to do away with selfish interests and ambitions.

    “We must also forego blame game and be involved in forecast and formation and never abandoned PDP,” Jubrin said.

    In attendance at the meeting was Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, who later walked out, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, PDP Governors, former ministers, BoT members, former governors, among others.

  • PDP NWC accepts reconciliation committee’s recommendations

    PDP NWC accepts reconciliation committee’s recommendations

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it had accepted the recommendations in the report of the party’s Reconciliation Committee.

    The National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

    Sheriff said the NWC believed that the recommendations of the committee headed Bayelsa governor, Mr Sariake Dickson, met the requirements for the conduct of national convention and reconciliation procedures.

    “We accept the recommendations in totality and we will start working on the implementation,’’ he said.

    He added that the recommendation was, however, subject to further approval of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

    Dickson had on Tuesday, submitted the report of the recommendation to Sheriff at PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.

    Sheriff said that he would commence consultation with all organs of the party in line with the recommendation.

    He said that he would contact the organs to get their membership lists so as to draw up the nomination for the national convention planning committee members as proposed by the committee.

    He also said that the commission would soon set up state executive for Anambra chapter of the party as part of preparations for the November, 2017 governorship election in the state.

    The chairman also disclosed that as part of efforts to reunite the party members, he had contacted all the states governors of the party, including Mr Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum.

    He said that he had contacted all the governors except Nyesome Wike of Rivers, who was said to be out of the country.

    Sheriff, however, cautioned some party members, especially Fayose, to desist from making derogatory remarks about him.

    He said that Fayose had already made it a point of duty to insult his personality on daily basis, but said “I want to tell him that enough is enough.

    “Belonging to political party is by choice. Yes, you may have a right, but your right should not trample on another person’s right; political party is a voluntary association.

    “If you are a leader of a political party, we have to allow people to have their choice of leadership.’’

    Sheriff, who said he had no personal rift with Fayose or any party member, said that all he was doing was to make PDP attractive to everybody.

    “We want to reposition the party so that it can win elections,” he said.

    On indefinite medical vacation by President Muhammadu Buhari abroad, Sheriff said the president’s absence did not affect governance as he had transferred power to Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    He advised Nigerians not to politicise the issue of health, saying “every living human being will get sick.’’ (NAN)

  • Jonathan commends PDP leaders on effort toward resolving crisis

    Jonathan commends PDP leaders on effort toward resolving crisis

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday commended leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their support to ongoing efforts toward resolving the differences in the party.

    In a statement Mr Ikechukwu Eze, his Media Adviser, in Abuja, Jonathan urged the party faithful to ignore rumours and false information being peddled as the outcome of ongoing dialogue in the party.

    He promised to address the public on the outcome of the consultations at the appropriate time.

    He said that there had been media speculations since the meeting between him and the PDP Governors on Tuesday and stated that the speculations were being presented in contradictory perspectives.

    “I wish to urge the public and well-meaning PDP members to ignore such misleading conjectures as they are obviously the handiwork of those who do not wish the party well.

    Fayose
    Fayose

    “They are therefore not happy with the current reconciliation efforts.

    “The fact that Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Mr Ayo Fayose, promptly addressed journalists at the end of
    the meeting, clearly showed that there was no ambiguity in the message.

    “He said that an agreement was reached on seeking a political solution in resolving the differences.

    “It is obvious that those behind the misleading publications have failed to achieve their aim as I have seamlessly continued with the consultations and reconciliatory meetings,” he said.

    pdp
    Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi

    The former president said that since his meeting with the governors, he had also met with other key PDP
    leaders in line with his resolve to carry all the organs of the party along.

    According to him, these leaders included Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT), Sen. Walid Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

    Jonathan said that he was determined to continue on the path of inclusive dialogue.

    He assured that he would do so by working with the governors, the BoT, National Assembly members and other key stakeholders “until the internal dispute is finally resolved’’.

    He urged the public and loyal party members to continue to support the peace process and not to listen to rumours.

  • Ondo: I’ll not lobby INEC over PDP’s guber candidate – Sheriff

    Ondo: I’ll not lobby INEC over PDP’s guber candidate – Sheriff

    The National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has vowed not to lobby the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the party’s candidate for Ondo governorship election.

    Sheriff stated this in a statement signed his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Inuwa Bwala in Abuja on Tuesday

    He said the clarification was important against the widespread speculations linking Sheriff with controversies surrounding the emerges of two PDP candidates for the election.

    While Sen. Ahmed led-National Caretaker Committee submitted the name of Mr Eyitayo Jegede to INEC, the Sheriff-led faction also submitted to the commission the name of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate for the election.

    He said that as a law abiding leader, Sheriff was bound by whoever INEC publishes as both candidates in contention were respectable members of the PDP.

    Sheriff pledged that he would treat their issues based on merits and in accordance with the law.

    He further dismissed insinuations that he was behind several petitions against INEC.

    He said that he had done his duty by submitting a name to INEC, and expected that the commission would act in accordance with its own mandate.

    “Sheriff is not unmindful of events leading to the emergence of the two candidates, but wishes to assure Nigerians that steps are being taken to resolve all such issues even beyond what INEC may do.

    “This is to avoid past experiences occasioned by internal bickering in the PDP.’’

    He assured the people of Ondo State that PDP leaders have been working to ensure that the party wins in the forthcoming elections, “immaterial of who fly’s its flag.’’

    Sheriff said he was not aware of any alleged move to blackmail INEC because he had high regards for the commission.

    He, however, urged INEC to ensure that the PDP was not short changed in any future election, but should allow the people’s votes to count.

    Sheriff denied authoring or  authorising any petition to be written on his behalf as was being mischievously alleged in some sections of the media.

    He warned that people should stop using his name to settle scores.

  • Sheriff honors EFCC invitation in Maiduguri

    Sheriff honors EFCC invitation in Maiduguri

    The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, was at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday to honor an invitation extended to him by the anti-graft agency.

    Sherrif, who stormed the EFCC office located behind the Directorate of State Security (DSS) office along the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway, was escorted by a small detachment of mobile policemen.

    He arrived the commission’s office at about 10:15am in a tinted glass bulletproof jeep and dressed in a brown baban riga.

    An official of the EFCC told our correspondent that the ex-Borno State governor was invited to answer questions concerning money distributed to PDP stalwarts in the state during the 2015 general election.

     

     

     

  • PDP NEC zones party’s chairmanship to North-East

    PDP NEC zones party’s chairmanship to North-East

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) has zoned the party’s chairmanship position to the North-East geo-political zone.

    The National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the NEC meeting held at the party national secretariat.

    Sheriff said that the NEC received the report of the Zoning Committee presented by its Chairman, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom.

    He said that the committee’s zoning recommendation was unanimously adopted at the NEC meeting.

    According to the NEC resolution made available to newsmen, the Deputy National Chairman was zoned to the South-South, while the National Secretary was zoned to the South-West.

    The Deputy National Secretary was zoned to the North-Central; National Legal Adviser to the North-West; and the Deputy National Legal Adviser to the South-South.

    The National Treasurer was zoned to the South-South; Deputy National Treasurer to the North-West; National Financial Secretary to the North-Central and Deputy National Financial Secretary to the South-East.

    The National Woman Leader was zoned to the North-West, Deputy National Woman leader was zoned to South-South, the National Auditor was zoned to South-West, and the Deputy National Auditor to North-East

    The National Publicity Secretary was zoned to South-West; the Deputy National Publicity Secretary to North-Central and the National Organising Secretary to the South-East.

    The Deputy National Organising Secretary was zoned to the North-Central; National Youth Leader to the South- East, and the Deputy National Youth Leader to North-West.

    Sheriff said that the NEC also received the proposal for the amendment of the party’s constitution and unanimously agreed to debate it at the next NEC meeting, scheduled for May11.

    “NEC considered and adopted the amendments made on the Guidelines for the 2016 Congresses and National Convention affecting Section 4.02.

    ” The section stipulated specific timelines for purchases of forms for various offices, to now remain open and members can purchase form at any given time or period and contest any position of their choice,” he said.
    He added that PDP as a political party had put its house in order and was ready for the challenges ahead.

     

  • PDP will bounce back – Sheriff

    PDP will bounce back – Sheriff

    National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has expressed confidence that the party would regain its lost glory.

    He said that the strength of the party would be restored after members would have resolved their differences.

    Sheriff stated this on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state, when he visited the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

    He said that he was in the state to discuss the party’s forthcoming convention in May with the governor.

    According to him, the party will leave no stone unturned to bring back `its lost sheep’, and ensure victory in all future elections.

    “Since I took over the mantle of leadership of our great party, I have been working assiduously to make PDP a strong and united party once again.

    “My efforts have been yielding positive results as evident in the level of success we have recorded in recent re-run elections in the country,” he said.

    Responding, Mimiko, who is Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, expressed confidence in the ability of Sheriff to rebuild the party and reposition it for success in future elections.

    He said that it was due to Sheriff’s efforts that the party won virtually all the re-run elections recently.

    “I am sure that by the time we finished our convention in May this year, our great party will bounce back to reckoning and we will easily win all elections in the future,” Mimiko said.

     

  • PDP will reclaim power in Jigawa by 2019 – Sheriff

    PDP will reclaim power in Jigawa by 2019 – Sheriff

    National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has expressed optimism that the party will reclaim Jigawa in the 2019 general elections.

    Sheriff said this while addressing a delegation of PDP members led by Alhaji Tukur Ganza, who paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Sheriff said the party would do everything democratically possible to reclaim the state, which he said was PDP stronghold.

    ”We lost the election not because PDP was not strong in Jigawa, but it was the movement at that time ‎that caused it.

    “Now, we have learnt from our mistakes. So, it is a matter of time. All the people who left our party in Jigawa will come back.

    “The leadership of the PDP today will ensure that no one is lagging behind,” Sheriff said.

    Earlier, Ganza said the group’s visit was to support the emergence of Sheriff as PDP national chairman.

    He said that the group believed in the capability of Sheriff to revive the party.