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Tag: Senator Ali Modu Sheriff

  • Makarfi accuses Sheriff of plunging Nigeria into one-party state

    Makarfi accuses Sheriff of plunging Nigeria into one-party state

    Worried by the comments of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the internal crisis of the party before the court, the caretaker committee Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has accused Sherriff of alleged plans of destroying the integrity of the Judiciary and plunge the nation into a one-party state under the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Makarfi, who reacted to the press conference by the PDP members of Senator Sherriff faction on Friday, accused them of deliberately “raising insinuations that could affect the judgement pending before the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt and also discrediting the judiciary”, saying that such stance taken by Senator Sheriff and his supporters “could ultimately destroy the judiciary and later plunge Nigeria into a one-party State”.

    According to Makarfi in a statement in Kaduna Saturday, “It is very unfortunate and It is also irresponsible that as it stands today, Dr. Karo of the Modu Sheriff faction addressed a press conference that is arranged with such reckless statement intended to soil the integrity of the entire judiciary, and of a particular court”.

    “I condemned such attitude. But, you see, the leper does not change. You recall that the Sheriff side has made several wide written petitions and allegations against members of the bench in a reckless and ungentlemanly manner, unsubstantiated allegations, all intended to avert the delivery of justice.”

    The PDP chairman, Makarfi argued further, “Equally, they have joined even judges as respondents to cases they have filed before the court. Really, this is against ethics and norms that is known to us. And this ongoing insinuation, all intended to make nonsense of the judiciary, especially in respect of judgements that are yet to be delivered. Insinuating, as if they have already have judgements in their pockets. We truly don’t know watch they intend to achieve by this.”

    “We as caretaker committee of the PDP we have absolute faith and confidence in the judiciary and we know that ultimately justice will be done, the judges cannot be fooled by these antics. We equally believe that as democrats in PDP we will continue to depend on the judiciary as the institution that can protect its own integrity and I believe that they are capable of doing that”.

    Senator Makarfi said, “I urge them to rise up to the challenge and do that. If we destroy judiciary in this country, we will destroy democracy and we will destroy Nigeria. At the sometime, if we destroy judiciary in Nigeria, we will enthrone dictatorship and nobody will be saved. God forbid the day that opposition will be killed in the country and we will end up in the state of a dictatorship. We will stand up against that and we will continue to stand up against such”.

    “The Sherriff faction press conference is pre-emptive of what the court judgment would be. This is not the first time, several times, through social media, even when issues were at the lower courts, they made Perceived and conjectured outcome of court proceedings and in most cases they never got it right. It was at one instance of a particular judge that they got it right. The intention is to erode the integrity of the judiciary,” he said.

  • PDP: Fayose, Ikpeazu differ on peace move

    PDP: Fayose, Ikpeazu differ on peace move

    Two governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday disagreed on the peace move that was announced by the two feuding factions of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The two factions of the party had on Tuesday announced their decision to bury the hatchet and work together in order to enable the party perform its role as a viable opposition platform.

    Both factions disclosed their intention to embark on extensive consultations with their respective loyalists to fashion out a way to cement the new unity after about four months of bitter rivalry.

    Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, who spoke separately on the issue with State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, differed on the necessity of the reconciliation move.

    While Fayose rejected it and stressed that it is only the Court of Appeal that can resolve the party’s leadership crisis, Ikpeazu described it as a step in the right direction.

    According to Fayose, the PDP state governors have not been briefed on the reconciliation move while the cases in court have not been withdrawn.

    He said: “That move, you see, I’m not against anything called resolution within the party but everybody must wait for Court of Appeal to resolve this matter.

    “Matters are in court, nobody has withdrawn any matter and they are resolving. What are you resolving?

    “When matters are in court you, allow court to lay them to rest. The moment this thing doesn’t go with one side, they will tell you were are still in court.

    “But allow the court to take a stand and reconciliation would be made easy. I’m not against anybody reconciling with each other, but when you see that meeting, ask the coverners if the governors were briefed.

    “I was not briefed. I am not the only person in the party, but I think I have a stake.”

    On whether the cases in court cannot be withdrawn during reconciliation, he replied: “Let’s wait till then. But my opinion is the Court of Appeal must resolve this matter.

    “When you resolve the matter, you know that I am wrong and I you are right and reconciliation will be made easy.” He said.

    Abia governor said that the new reconciliation move will be a victory for the party and Nigeria at the end of the day.

    Noting that the long period of the crisis had taken a toll on the party, he said that it had also provided it with new opportunities to become stronger.

    Ikpeazu said: “In every crisis there are downsides because nobody will wish and pray for the crisis. I think also that moment of crisis are also opportunities for strength, renewed vigor and to reinvent our vision.

    “So, ultimately, I think the PDP has the resilience and what it takes to bounce back as a party.”

    On how to secure the support of its founding fathers and others who may have left the party, he said the party will work to bring everybody back on board.

    He went on: “There is no doubt that party politics everywhere involves everybody, whether you are a founding father or a new member. A political party is built around people and everybody has a equal stake.

    “Our interest is Nigeria. Therefore, all strata of people, an opinion I think will be put into consideration because they are equally important.

    “The important thing is Nigeria and the important thing is democracy. Whether you are a BoT member or a party person, it doesn’t really matter. PDP Governors Forum is not a political party,” he added.

  • PDP crisis: Makarfi, Sheriff camps disagree with court’s judgment

    PDP crisis: Makarfi, Sheriff camps disagree with court’s judgment

    The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed satisfaction with Wednesday’s ruling of an Abuja High Court, which sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the party.

    The committee has, therefore, advised Sheriff to retrace his steps and join hands with others to move the party forward.

    But the Sheriff camp has said that the court did not sack the embattled chairman and that the judgement of was being misinterpreted.

    The court, presided over by Justice Valentine Ashi, nullified the 2014 PDP constitution‎ amendment upon which Sheriff was appointed PDP chairman.

    The court described the said amendment as illegal and a violation of the Electoral Act.

    Secretary of the Ahmed Makarfi -led caretaker committee, Senator Ben Obi, in an interview yesterday described the judgement as a welcome development.

    He said: “We expect more positive court rulings in the days ahead in favour of our party‎. It is time for them to face the truth and retrace their steps.”

    He called on Sheriff and his supporters to stop their hard line posture and cooperate with the caretaker committee to move the party forward.

    “We believe that truth must be upheld; we want all hands to be on deck to chart the way forward”, Obi added.

    Repudiating the judgment, the National Secretary of the Sheriff faction, Prof. Adewale Oladipo said in a statement yesterday that “this is completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court as it never gave any ruling ousting the national chairman.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ousted the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

    “Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the national chairman of the PDP. He still holds office as the national chairman and has not been removed by any court.

    “We therefore urge those misleading the media and the unsuspecting public to desist from such. The media are also urged to always crosscheck their facts before going to press”

  • Wike, Mimiko, others bid late mother of Gov Umahi farewell

    Wike, Mimiko, others bid late mother of Gov Umahi farewell

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was among eminent personalities that attended the wake-keep of late Mother-General Margaret Umahi, mother of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi at Agu-Ugwu, Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Other dignitaries at the programme which took place on Thursday 31 March, 2016 include the Governors of Bayelsa, Henry Seriake Dickson, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, Ondo, Olusegun Mimiko and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    Speaking at the programme, The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi noted that his mother lived a good life while, describing her as a mediator between God and man.

    He lauded his fellow governors and political associates for their sacrifices, love and honor shown him, his family and the people of Ebonyi State by attending the burial programme of his mother to commiserate with them.

    He expressed happiness over the love that exists between the present crop of governors which he noted is beyond party affiliation.

    Governor Umahi particularly thanked the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for accommodating good number of Ebonyi indigenes who lived and do business in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of the Governors at the occasion, Governor Henry Sariake Dickson of Bayelsa State said they were in the state to solidarize with their colleague and the people of Ebonyi state on the death of their mother as well as honor her for a life well lived.

    He noted that the worthy legacies of late Margaret Umahi will always be remembered and assured members of the Umahi’s family of their support.

    Governor Sariake Dickson prayed God to grant members of the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and for the soul of the deceased to rest in peace.

  • Dining with the devil

    Dining with the devil

    •President Jonathan must reassess his ties to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff

    It is often said that eternal vigilance is the price of victory. Given the very serious security challenges currently being confronted by Nigeria, it is surprising that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has persistently refused to take this wisdom to heart.

    Quite apart from the Federal Government’s inability to rally cross-party support for its anti-terror campaign, increasing disquiet at its dubious arms-procurement processes, as well as the uncertain morale of the armed forces, there are its inexplicably close connections to individuals suspected of contributing significantly to the rise of insurgent groups like Boko Haram.

    The most prominent of these links is that between the Jonathan administration and the former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Ever since his defection to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July, and even before it, Sheriff has been the beneficiary of courtesies and preferential protocol arrangements that would be more appropriate to a sitting head of state.

    When Maiduguri Airport was closed in June in response to military directives, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno State, and 286 pilgrims on their way to perform the lesser Hajj in Mecca were forced to comply. However, the airport was reopened in July for the sole reason of allowing Sheriff’s private jet to land, allegedly to facilitate his intention of declaring for the PDP. Why would the Federal Government override security concerns and extend a courtesy to an ex-governor that it had denied his successor?

    Then there is the controversial appearance of Sheriff at a meeting between Presidents Jonathan and his Chadian counterpart, Idris Deby, on September 8. Sheriff was not only in the official Chadian delegation which welcomed Jonathan at the airport, he was also at Deby’s formal reception for Jonathan. Although the president’s media aides have been at pains to stress that Sheriff was not on Nigeria’s official entourage, the fact that he was able to meet the president without any apparent hindrance does not inspire confidence in government’s vaunted attempts to combat Boko Haram.

    The latest demonstration of Senator Sheriff’s “most-favoured person” status was the 200-man close protection detail that attended him when he recently visited Maiduguri to pay his condolences to a bereaved friend. This security escort far exceeds that of any governor, and can only be rivalled by that of the president himself. Significantly, Sheriff’s escort comprised soldiers rather than policemen who usually provide security cover for non-military VIPs. In effect, soldiers who could have been employed far more usefully against insurgents were deployed to protect an individual suspected of a major role in the creation and sustenance of the very same insurgents they should have been fighting!

    The Jonathan administration must realise that such displays of moral ambivalence are far more disadvantageous to its credibility than any perceived gain. It strengthens growing perceptions that the Federal Government is more interested in manipulating the insurgency than in fighting it. It weakens national resolve to unite against terror. It gives heart to individuals who sponsor terrorism and provide succour for those who perpetrate it. Perhaps most distressing of all, it poisons all aspects of social, political and economic life by destroying trust, ruining nationalist fervour and degrading patriotic obligation.

    If indeed the Federal Government is assiduously fighting terrorism, it cannot be seen to be cozying up to individuals like Sheriff, whose innocence in insurgency-related matters is yet to be established. It should expedite the process of thoroughly investigating his activities in order to determine his culpability or otherwise, and in the meantime should seek to distance itself from his like.

  • Boko Haram: Group wants Sheriff, Ihejirika investigated

    Boko Haram: Group wants Sheriff, Ihejirika investigated

    The Northern Emancipation Network, a non-governmental organization has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to order the arrest and probe of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) in the light of the revelation by Australian negotiator, Austin Stephen, that they are involved in the Boko Haram insurgency.

    A statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said the action has become necessary in order for the President to reclaim his already battered image as a result of the insurgency.

    The group said acting on Dr Austin’s revelation would also reshape Nigeria’s image in the face of the international community.

    According to Suleiman, the attempts by Sheriff and Ihejirika to clear themselves in the media should not be equated to proof of their innocence.

    The group, however, frowned at attempts by the opposition to make political gains out of the situation, adding that it is the peak of insensitivity to issues that concern national security.

    The group said it was unacceptable for the opposition to lump Sheriff’s indictment on the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “In any case, Sheriff had, since 1999 been in the opposition until just recently when he shifted to the PDP,” Suleiman said.

    He also described attempts by Igbo commentators to exonerate Ihejirika as pedestrian, saying Nigerians should stop interpreting the insurgency in tribal or ethnic terms.

  • Sheriff to join forces with government on terrorism

    Sheriff to join forces with government on terrorism

    Former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Friday said he would use all the resources at his disposal to help the security agencies defeat terrorism in the country.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, he said the current spate of killings in Borno and other parts of the northeast was a cause of concern for him.

    He said: “I am not a security man or personnel. Whatever as a civilian I can do using my position as the chief executive of the state for eight years, what I have seen during my tenure I will contribute to the security agencies through whom I got those information.”

    “What you have to understand is that this country is a big country and Borno State is different from any other state in Nigeria. Borno has the biggest landmass bordering Niger, Chad and Cameron. It is an open border.”

    “Borno is not like the Republic of Benin with only one entrance into Nigeria. In Borno, you can enter from 20 different points to the country. Therefore, you need a perfect understanding of the terrain. You need every knowledge that any politician has particularly any politician that operated in Borno State. That is all we can contribute for now.”