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From: Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has split the party’s caucus in the House of Representatives, with the members holding divergent views on who is the national chairman of the opposition party.
While some of the PDP members recognise Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the opposition party, some others have pitched their tent with chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
The division within the PDP caucus came to the fore, on Thursday, following a press statement issued by the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor, on Wednesday, expressing support for Makarfi.
The minority leader had stated that ” The PDP caucus of the House of Representative wishes to state categorically that it finds the Court of Appeal verdict that nullified the decision of the national convention of the PDP on May 21 , 2016 and reinstated the Modu Sheriff leadership very discomforting, the Caucus supports the decision of the Ahmed Makarfi Caretaker Committee to seek redress at the Supreme Court. The Caucus appeals to all leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party to please remain calm and focused, standing firmly on the position that there is no way the party will accept the Ali Modu Sheriff contraption which is yet to demonstrate any genuine iota of love for the party.”
But a PDP House of Representatives member from Imo State, Hon Goodluck Opia, told Daily Sun in telephone interview, on Thursday, that Ogor’s statement was not a true reflection of things with the party caucus.
” What is obvious is that there are quite a number of the PDP members of the House who are in full support Senator Ali Modu Sheriff leadership of the party” , the lawmaker said.
However, another PDP House member, Hon Joe Edionwele from Edo, who aligns with the position of the minority leader maintains that House caucus recognises Makarfi as the leader of the party.
He said that it may just be one of two House of Representatives members, who are with Sheriff.
“When they (Sheriff group) call for meeting, how many persons attend from Senate and the House. But when Makarfi call meeting, we are more than 70,” he said.
Edionwele added:”If you look at it objectively, it is Makarfi that is the national chairman.It was done through convention. Now that the court is saying Sherrif is the chairman. We have to test it out at the Supreme Court.”
Meanwhile, a senator who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sun that said the PDP caucus in the Senate is still consulting on the issue, noting that at end of day they will up with a position that will be in the best interest of the party.
