Let Sheriff Wait For The Supreme Court Judgement – Markafi’s Camp Insists
BEVERLY HILLS, February 27, (THEWILL) – The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Ahmed Markafi has called on the court-declared Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, to wait for the judgement of the Supreme Court before assuming leadership of the party.
This was the text of a press conference on the state of affairs of the party by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Spokesman of the faction, on Monday , at the PDP temporary secretariat, Abuja.
Adeyeye declared that when Sheriff appealed against the Judgment of Justice Liman J of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt that upheld the Chairmanship of Markafi, the law enforcement agencies denied Markafi and the employees access into the National Secretariat.
He therefore declared that the same measure must be given to Sheriff since the Markafi group has appealed the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on the 17th of February, 2017 which ruled in favour of Sheriff.
“Today we have invited you to discuss recent development in our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially, the events that have taken place since the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on the 17th of February, 2017,” he said.
“We wish to remind the public that the recent Court of Appeal Judgment was based on the Appeal filed by Senator Sheriff and Co. against the Judgment of Justice Liman J of the FHC in Port Harcourt that upheld the legality and constitutionality of the May 21st 2016 National Convention that took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and the Decisions arising therefrom.
“Because Senator Sheriff claimed that he has appealed against that Judgment, the law enforcement agencies denied the National Caretaker Committee and the employees access into the National Secretariat. Now that the Party led by the National caretaker Committee has filed appeal against the recent Judgment, the status quo ante remains until the determination of the Appeal to the Supreme Court.
“In the light of the above, we are calling on the Police and the general public and lovers of peace and democracy to ask Senator Sheriff and Co. to respect the on-going litigation processes. The Police should ensure that Sheriff and Co. do not occupy the National Secretariat in order to avoid breakdown of law and order. We have noticed that the Police have taken sides in this matter perhaps because of directives from the APC but 'a stitch in time saves nine'!
“It is common knowledge that Senator Sheriff and Co. forcefully broke into the National Secretariat of the Party around 6:00 PM on Friday 24 February, 2017. The Keys of the National Secretariat are with the Board of Trustees (BoT) who are the Custodian of the Assets of the Party. See Article 32(5)(e) of the PDP Constitution (As Amended in 2012). We know that the Keys of the Secretariat are still with the BoT but Sheriff entered by breaking the doors in an action totally unbecoming of a person who has been Governor of a State, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also claiming to be a National Chairman of a major Political Party.
“We therefore demand that Senator Sheriff and Co. vacates the National Secretariat immediately.
“We have stated several times that the APC has its hand deep in the PDP crises. There is no doubt that Sheriff's activities against the PDP are being aided and abetted by the APC. For the record, just last week, the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha gave unsolicited advice that we should support Senator Sheriff. That is one instance of their meddlesomeness in the PDP affairs.
“There is no doubt that Okorocha and Co. are happy that their man won at the Appeal Court but very much afraid that he could lose at the Supreme Court.
Also, we have it on good authority that the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi has deployed his former Abuja Liaison Officer who was a former Intermediate Officer of the Party, Mr. John Enebeli among others to lure some members of staff in support of Senator Sheriff by promising them huge sums of money to offset their outstanding allowances.
“Senator Sheriff is equally luring some employees on the same jumbo promise. Let him recall that he made the same promise when he first assumed office only to dash the hope of the hapless employees.
“We wish to inform the general public that Senator Sheriff and Co. have perfected plans to receive non-serving state executive committees at the National Secretariat in order to mislead unsuspecting members of the public that he has been accepted by the Party's organs. In the days ahead, the public will be treated to a show of re-arranged solidarity visits by illegal or non-existent state excos.
“The entire organs of the Party, the Founding Fathers and elders of the Party and the employees of the Party remain totally in support of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC). We implore our members and teaming supporters nationwide, the general public and in particular, lovers of democracy to remain calm and steadfast pending the determination of the Appeal before the Supreme Court.
“In a democracy, the most important factor is the people; and with the people solidly behind us, we are sure of victory in the end. Our cause is just and noble! Our victory is certain by the Grace of the Almighty God.”