PDP sacks Sheriff, names Makarfi caretaker chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the national executive committee (NEC) of the party led by Ali Modu Sheriff.

The party also dissolved its national working committee (NWC) and set up an interim committee headed Ahmed Makarfi, former governor of Kaduna state; with Ben Obi, a former senator, as secretary.

A motion for the dissolution was moved by Austin Opara, former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, and seconded by Emeka Ihedioha, the immediate past deputy speaker of the house of representatives.

The motion was ratified by Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor and chairman of the convention holding at Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Congratulating the new leaders of the party, Wike made it clear that they have only be assigned to organise a convention, and not to partake in any election.

“Please I want you to know that you have been appointed to organise the next convention, not to contest in the election,” he said.

“You cannot contest for any office. This is very important.”

In his remark, Makarfi thanked the party for the trust reposed in him. He said the assignment caught him unaware, describing it as a challenge.

Makarfi said the PDP will not regret choosing him to steer its wheel for the next three months.

“Honestly, I lack word to express my pleasure. What you may not know is that I didn’t expect this,” he said.

“The bag I came here with is still in the car. I just arrived and I was told that there was a meeting holding at Government House, Port Harcourt. So, I rushed there and people started approaching me asking: ‘If you are called upon to serve, will you be willing and ready to serve?’

“And I said if it is in the support of the unity of our party, progress of our country, no matter the kind of job I am asked to do, once it is legitimate, I will offer myself.”