Fresh crisis in PDP as Sherrif, Makarfi renew animosity

After weeks of seeming truce in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party seems to be returning to its old path of animosity.

New developments in the party are pointing to the fact that the peace move between Ahmed Makarfi, chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, and Ali Modu Sheriff, factional chairman of the party, is heading for the rocks.

Reacting to some recent  statements made by the Makarafi faction, Sheriff’s group described the caretaker committee as an “illegal contraption”, and threatened to take disciplinary legal action against it.

Bernard Mikko, acting national publicity secretary of Sheriff faction, had argued that since a court declared the caretaker committee illegal, it cannot speak for the party.

He said various comments were credited to “one Prince Dayo Adeyeye’’ who claimed to be speaking as the national publicity secretary (national caretaker committee) were out of order.

Mikko explained that the reconciliation process relapsed due to Makarfi’s insistence not to disband his caretaker committee when Sheriff is inclined to step down at the next unity convention of the party

The convention is expected to usher in new executive members of the party.

“Adeyeye is hereby reminded that the terms of the MoU for reconciliation did not vitiate subsisting court orders without prejudice to pending legal matters,” Mikko statement read.

“While we will respect the terms of the MoU in the reconciliation process, we will not fail to activate the legal processes and hold them in contempt for any breach of the law.

“If they continue the impunity and act in disobedience of the law, disciplinary legal procedures, particularly forms 48 and 49 will be processed against them.’’

But Makarfi’s faction fired back, describing Sheriff’s threat as ridiculous.

In a statement signed by Chinwe Nnorom, head of the publicity division of the caretaker committee, said Mikko was only acting to gain cheap favour by his threat.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to an unknown quantity in the name of one Bernard Mikko purporting to be the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP,” Nnorom said in a statement.

“While we are duty bound not to dignify him by replying to all the points raised in his statement, we wish to, however, clarify that the national caretaker committee of the party is a creation of the national convention.

“The national convention is the highest decision making body of the PDP and it’s so recognised by courts of competent jurisdiction.

“We won’t therefore exchange words with self-appointed members of a non-existent national working committee (NWC).

“For the umpteenth time, we wish to re-iterate that at least 90 per cent of members of the former NWC are all cooperating with the National Caretaker Committee led by Makarfi.”

She added that the threat of issuing form 48 and 49 by “this unknown person is stupid and ridiculous”.

“For emphasis, there are several judgments of courts nullifying the appointment of the former National Chairman, and directing him not to continue parading himself as Chairman of the PDP.”