Pdp Elders Demand Immediate Resignation Of Modu-sheriff
BEVERLY HILLS, February 22, (THEWILL) – A group of concerned Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders and elders has observed that most members of the party do not see Ali Modu-Sheriff as the type of Chairman the PDP presently needs and has therefore requested him to resign from his position as the new National Chairman of the party.
The group, under the aegis of PDP Rescue Group led by Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, where it expressed the displeasure of party leaders over the appointment of the former Borno governor as Chairman of the opposition party.
According to Juta, who also contested for the PDP chairmanship, “most PDP members did not see in Sheriff a model of impeccable integrity that the party badly needed to lead it at this critical moment.
“We are upset by the decision of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party in appointing Ali Modu-Sherrif as national chairman.”
“We are convinced that this decision is against the will and wish of the generality of members.”
“We know for a fact the North-East Zonal wing, having been directed by the National Caucus of the party to forward nominees from the zone, did not nominate Modu-Sheriff for the position of national chairman.”
“Consequently, Modu-Sheriff should do the needful by stepping down honourably as it is evident that party members nationwide have overwhelmingly rejected him.”
While stressing that the current leadership crisis in PDP was a challenge to every Nigerian, the party chieftain said: “having the PDP destroyed by acts of error of judgment as being witnessed now is denying Nigeria of a strong opposition party that is badly needed if Nigeria's democracy is to be strengthened and all tendencies toward civilian dictatorship checked.
“The crisis must challenge all party members to action to halt the party from further drift. The plan of PDP Rescue Group is to mobilise party members and leaders to help attain this noble goal.”
“It is, therefore, critical if the PDP must come back to national reckoning, that we remodel its leadership on the platform of honesty as required by the party manifesto.”
Juta went on to challenge all party organs as well as past and present leaders to rise to the challenge by insisting on the removal of Modu-Sheriff.
While tasking them to commence the search for persons with high integrity, strategic insight and fear of God Almighty to lead the party, he said: “It is our considered view that we endeavour to elect only those with discernible traits.”
On his part, a former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who is the Deputy Chairman of the group, reiterated that party stakeholders were not carried along in the appointment of Modu-Sheriff, who he said was imposed on the party.