Convention Must Not Hold If You Want Peace – Sheriff Tells Peacemakers

SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, (THEWILL) – Ali Modu Sheriff, factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party has told the reconciliation committee of the party that for peace to return to the party, the proposed national convention scheduled for August 17in Port Harcourt should be put off.

The reconciliatory committee, headed by former Minister of ‎Information, Professor Jerry Gana, was set up by the PDP Board of trustees (BoT) to broker peace between Sheriff's faction and the Ahmed Markarfi led caretaker committee; both claiming leadership of the party.

Sheriff who met with the committee also insisted that the new convention which he is proposing must be held in Abuja adding that the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, should not head the convention committee.

Sources added that Sheriff also demanded that the ward, local government and state congresses already concluded and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) must be allowed to stand as he showed displeasure at some leaders of the party.

“If our leaders have taken their responsibilities, we would never have had most of the problems we are facing today,” he said.

“When a leader refused to stand up to his responsibilities, there will be problem. Some of our leaders are party to our problem.‎ the moment we want to use one impunity to address another, it will not work.

“All that was disused today was the problems. They will go back to the BoT that sent them. I am sure that in the next meeting, they come back with recommendations that will bring lasting solutions and peace to the party

“We are delighted that there have been a clear resolution on the determination and the desire that the problems been resolved, unity be re -established and for PDP to move forward.

“Nigerians are waiting for PDP; they are missing the PDP, they are crying and yearning for PDP because the 16 years of democracy cannot be wasted away.”

Others present at the meeting includes former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, his Enugu State counterpart, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Abodu Olujimi‎, and former Senator Whip, Senator Stella Omu.

Also present were former Minister of Aviation, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze, former Minister of Woman Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, AVM Dan Suleiman (rtd), former PDP Vice Chairman (South-South), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Senator Hope Uzodinma and former presidential Political Adviser Alhaji Ahmed Gulak,‎ among others.

Story by David Oputah