PDP CHAIRMANSHIP: BoT, NEC Disagree On Sheriff’s Emergence

Ali Modu Sheriff, PDP National Chairman

BOARD of Trustees (BoT) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have vehemently disagreed on the emergence of a former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the new national chairman of the party.

The two organs which are the highest decision-making bodies of the former ruling party in Nigeria could not arrive at a consensus to collectively adopt the new chairman of the party. While NEC voted in favour, BoT explicitly rejected the offer on account of integrity of the party according to a member who confided in Pinnacle InfoGallery BLOG adding that his emergence has moved the party from ‘frying pan to fire’.

Emphatically, he admitted the fact that Sheriff under the Nigeria’s law is innocent until proved guilty, hence has not been convicted by a court of law over his alleged link with the dreaded terrorist Boko Haram group, which had destroyed several lives and properties in the country, nevertheless, could not reasonably be endorsed to lead the party which he said was at the process of rebranding.

He added that party is about the people and imposing someone with such indent on his personality who had been accused as the sponsor of the terrorist group would bury the party finally. However, Sheriff had severally denied the allegations.

According to our investigations, the new chairman was picked by NEC after several meetings between Monday and Tuesday where he defeated his first runner-up, Senator Gingiri Lawal, national vice chairman for North-east zone and Ambassador Wilberforce Juta who was the second runner-up.

In similar vein, a source who spoke in the condition of anonymity informed our team that Governor Ayodele Fayose masterminded the emergence of Ali Modu sheriff believably to gather support in view of his likely prosecution after office over the revelations made on the Ekiti governorship poll indicating that Fayose rigged the election.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh told newsmen that the national caucus unanimously adopted the new chairman and further claimed that their choice enjoyed the support of the BoT.

Contrary to Metu’s position, events that unfolded later indicated that the nomination did not sail through when it was presented in the meeting adding that most  BoT members stormed out of the meeting.

On further discovery, it was learnt that in defiance of the position of the BoT, PDP National Executive Committee later met and endorsed Senator Sheriff who eventually took oath of office and allegiance as new chairman of the party in the presence of NEC members at around 8.45pm.

Responding to BoT members position against Sheriff, Metuh said the NEC took the decision in the best interest of the party adding that members of BoT were not bigger than the party.

“Those aggrieved said they were not properly briefed, but there would be consensus at the end of the day. All the different organs of the party were involved. You can’t talk about walkout in a meeting that has the likes of Senator Ahmadu Ali and Professor Jerry Gana in attendance.

“Nobody is bigger than the party. Nobody can walk out on the party; it is improper for anybody to walk out on the leaders of the party,” Metu said.

In his inaugural remarks, the new party pledged to rebuild and rebrand the party assuring that all that is required towards ensuring that the party reclaims its lost position will be put in place ahead of 2019 elections.

“The task is a very challenging one; to rebuild this party and carry everybody along towards 2019. I want to assure everybody that the choice you made today, nobody will regret it. PDP is a party that is structured and well-organised. All we need is to build this party and pilot it to success,” Sheriff said.