Arase meets factional leaders
By Emeka Nze
Abuja
Eight of the 11members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have dissociated themselves from the current battle in the party but support the decision of the Port Harcourt national convention which produced the Senator Ahmed Makarfi- led caretaker committee, while denying the former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
This was contained in a resolution signed by Prince Uche Secondus (Fmr. Deputy National Chairman),Rt. Hon. Barr. Onwe Solomon Onwe (Fmr. Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Victor Yusufu Kwon (Fmr. National Legal Adviser), Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe (Fmr. National Woman Leader),Hon. Abdullahi Maibasira (Fmr. National Youth Leader), Elder Bolaji Anani (Fmr. National Financial Secretary), and Alhaji Buhari Bala, OFR (Former National Treasurer).
The resolution reads in part: “We, the undersigned were members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party and its principal officers, having been elected by and owing our respective offices to the National Convention of the party, until May 21, 2016.
“As products of the Party’s National Convention, we accept without equivocation all decisions and resolutions of the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held at Port Harcourt on 21st May 2016.
“The decision of the National Convention dissolving the National Working Committee merely re-echoes our undeniable decision as members of National Working Committee to give up our tenures for congresses and Convention to be held in May 2016.
“We recognise the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and offer the Committee all our support and cooperation.
“The National Caretaker Committee constituted by the National Convention on 21st May 2016 is fully within the powers of the National Convention under Section 33 (5) (e) of the Party’s Constitution.
“As responsible and honourable party members who have had the privilege of serving the party at the highest level, we do not support and are not party to any suit, action or activity seeking to challenge the decisions of the National Convention in appointing the National Caretaker Committee or dissolving the former NWC, which had, at any rate, earlier agreed to go.
Meanwhile, all the factions in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday met with the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and promised to keep the peace while sorting out their differences in court.
Also, our reporter gathered that the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee resolved to be meeting in the chairman’s house till further notice.
It was also gathered that Makarfi, Jerry Gana-led Concerned PDP Stakeholders and the Board of Trustees (BoT) would Thursday meet to fashion out modality on how to work together for the progress of the party, but have decided to isolate Sheriff and his group from the party.
