Why I Joined PDP, By Modu-Sherrif

…Says Allegation Against Him Hatched In Maiduguri
SAN FRANCISCO, September 16, (THEWILL) - Embattled former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff , Tuesday in Maiduguri, the state capital, explained why he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking while in Maiduguri to condole with Alhaji Kashim Imam, a governorship candidate of PDP in 2003 and 2007 elections and as well console thousands of internally displaced persons in the state, Modu-Sherrif said he joined PDP in order to resolve the numerous problems bedeviling his state.

He also declared that the allegation by the Australian hostage negotiator, Dr. Steven Davies, that he was a major Boko Haram sponsor was the work of his detractors who hatched the plot in Maiduguri.

According to the embattled former governor, “If I was a Boko Haram sponsor, there would not have been any government in Borno for any one to inherit.”

He added: “The allegation by the Australian was hatched in Maiduguri to smear my name by those that are not comfortable with my political goodwill,' saying 'We should be careful how we treat issues because some of these things could later come to backfire.”

According to Modu-Sherrif, “It is sad to hear that the state-owned television was for about four days broadcasting the allegation of Australian against me. The people of the state know who I am and what I have done and what I can do.

“I have suffered a lot in their hands, they killed my brother just an hour after he was with me. They killed the governorship candidate of my party, a candidate that I supported. There is nobody in Borno that has not suffered from the insurgents.”

On his defection from APC to PDP, Modu-Sherrif said 'some changes are better done when you are in the government at the centre', stressing that he intends making the needed change for his people.

“My being in the PDP is a personal sacrifice for my people. I am in PDP so as to make the necessary intervention for my people. There is no sacrifice too much for me to make for the people of Borno for they have done so much for me.”

He also said: “It is sad that they have been saying I do not care for Borno. I have always care for Borno because I take it that I am the most patronised person in Borno having been voted three times into the Senate and twice as governor.

“I have been doing so many things behind the scene for Borno State. I do not need to come to the media to state this and this is what I have done. If it takes me to be sleeping 24 hours in the Presidency for my people, I will do just that.”