PDP; SHERIFF WINS, FAYOSE, OTHER PDP GOVERNORS KICK

AN Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday declared Senator Ali Modu Sheriff the Acting Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party.

The ruling, which came in a split decision, where two judges, Justice B. G. Sanga and Justice A.A. Gumel delivered judgement against the Makarfi-led PDP while the third judge, Justice T.S Orji-Abadua, ruled against Sheriff, who is the first appellant in the matter.

At least, four lower courts of concurrent jurisdiction had given conflicting judgements on the controversy surrounding the leadership of PDP, a development landed the matter at the Appeal Court.

In his ruling, Justice Sanga, who gave the lead judgement, said the party did not comply with its constitution in removing the executive of the PDP led by Sheriff.

Sanga maintained that a vote of confidence might be moved on any officer, but a two-month notice should be provided to the secretariat of the party, which would in turn circulate it to all members of the party.

He submitted that the PDP did not comply with the provisions of Article 47(3) of its constitution in the removal of the Sherrif-led working committee, maintaining that the national working committee was not put on notice.

According to him, “A vote of confidence may be moved on any officer, but in doing that, a two-month notice shall be provided to the secretariat of the party, which shall also be circulated.

“The way the (Sheriff) executive on May 21, 2016, showed that the party’s constitution was not complied with.”

In a related development,Governors Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party and the party’s Board of Trustees have said that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff can not lead the party.

They said this while reacting to the Port Harcourt Court of Appeal judgment which sacked the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee of the party.

Chairman of the Forum, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, stated this on behalf of the governors in Abuja on Friday.

He said “But the outcome of the Port Harcourt Court of Appeal that reinstated Sheriff against the will of the people, is nothing but a rape of our democracy.

“If the people truly symbolizes what a party is, then the machination of our detractors and the anti-democratic organs will not prevail at last.

“We commend the minority judgment of the lower court and we believe the truth will prevail. Thank God we have another opportunity to seek justice at the Supreme Court, which I believe will not be delayed or denied.

“The party will appeal the judgement as we believe in the ability of the judiciary to do justice, however we plead with our members, leaders and supporters to calm down as we keep hope alive.

“If this is a price to pay, to keep our democracy alive and opposition strengthened, we are prepared to go the whole hug.”

He added that the party organs would meet soon and take concrete steps and decisions on the way forward.

Chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, also said that organs of the party would soon meet on the judgement, saying that the governors, the BoT, and other organs of the PDP “are behind Makarfi and its committee. ”