PDP Bigwigs Begin Permutations For Post Of National Chairman

A fresh battle for the chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun.

This follows the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which ended the 14-month power tussle between Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff.

Makarfi, who won the legal battle, is expected to organize an elective convention, to usher in a new set of leaders ahead of the 2019 elections.

PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has already approved the zoning of the presidential ticket to the North and the chairmanship to the South.

Some of the contenders for the post of chairman include a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, who is also a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

Also, a former National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George; former PDP governorship candidate ‎in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje; Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, are all reportedly in the race.

Prince Uche Secondus, a former acting national chairman of the party is believed to be keen on the role.

Media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who was in the race in the last election is another potential candidate.

Makarfi himself has ruled out the possibility of continuing in the position.

By Ifreke Inyang

PDP Caucus Meeting: Our Party Will Attract People Like Magnet - Jonathan

National Expanded Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party​, PDP,​ met in Abuja Monday night​, ​​with an agreement to rebuild the party​ as it prepares for its national convention. 

It was the first gathering of members of the party since the Supreme Court sacked the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led national working committee ​last Wednesday.
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In attendance were former President Goodluck Jonathan; ​Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Makarfi​ ​and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Ayodele Fayose.
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Speaking, ​Jonathan told the gathering, which included Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; a former President of the Senate, David Mark; and governors of Rivers, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Gombe states​,​ that a strong party would attract the people.

Jonathan said, “First thing to do is to build the party because a strong party is the key to expansion. A strong party acts like a magnet and will attract all the people. Nigerians still believe in the PDP.
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”​So many people including non-politicians were happy at the PDP victory in Supreme Court.”

The former President insisted that the PDP remained the largest party that could unite the country.
He ​said​ that his presence was to appreciate members of the PDP, adding that the party passed through some challenges and came out of them peacefully.

In his remarks, Makarfi commended the members of the party for “being unyielding in their faith on the judicial system.”

He said members of other political parties were already planning to defect to the PDP, but said he would not mention their names and where they would be coming from.

“This hall will not contain us by the time they start to come back to the PDP. I will not tell you who they are or where they are,” the former governor of Kaduna State said.
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In his remark, Fayose said: ​“The APC must die so that the PDP can rise. Old change will give way for a new change. Now the coast is clear, all the party leaders should go home and work for the PDP.

“If this party must win, get Nigerians’ confidence restored, our leaders must go home to boost the party.

“If this party must return to power, we need to get the confidence of Nigerians.”

By Wale Odunsi

I Have No Desire To Be PDP Chairman – Makarafi

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi has said he will not be surprised if Ali Modu Sheriff returns to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In an interview with Punch, Makarfi, however, called on former PDP members who have decamped to the APC to return.

“Remember that Sheriff came from the APC. We won’t be so surprised if he joins them.

“If he returns to the APC, we will also pray that those who left the PDP should return to the PDP. The equation will be balanced,” he stated.

Makarfi also revealed he would not contest any elective position, including chairmanship of the party.

“I am not going to contest any elective position in the PDP. That has never been part of my ambition.

“There is nothing like the imposition of candidates again. The position of the chairman is an elective position.

“The party members will decide who will be their next national chairman at the convention. To contest is a personal decision.

“I wouldn’t consider myself as the best to administer the PDP. The caretaker committee was an emergency response to save the party. I am happy I did my best,” he added.

By Ifreke Inyang

We Did Not Recover Any Cash From Makarafi's House - EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dismissed reports saying it recovered the sum of $42m from a farm belonging to the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi.

There are reports saying the anti-graft agency had recovered the $42m from Makarfi’s farm two hours after he was declared the authentic chairman of the party by Supreme Court on Wednesday.

But spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwajaren , in a statement said the report was false.

The Commission urged members of the public to ignore the message.

The statement reads in part, “The EFCC hereby warns the general public to be wary of the activities of those who have been misleading Nigerians with false information about the activities of the commission.

“While many unsuspecting Nigerians shared the unfounded post, others simply copied and reposted as the original, which generated a myriad of reactions, suggesting that the commission was a tool in the hands of the executive to further destabilise the PDP.

“We have considered it necessary to set the records straight and to advise social media activists to be wary of those who are out to sow a seed of discord among Nigerians as there is no EFCC investigation on Senator Makarfi.”

By Seun Opejobi

I Never Congratulated Makarafi - Sheriff

The sacked National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has insisted that he did not send any congratulatory message to Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who floored him at the Supreme Court.

In a statement released by the erstwhile spokesman of the faction, Bernard Mikko, Sheriff said ‎it is mischievous for anyone to say that he congratulated Makarfi on Twitter.

The Former Governor of Borno State stated that it was, “the work of evil doers”.

“Our attention has been drawn to a fake congratulatory message credited to an imaginary Twitter handle of Sen (Dr) Ali Modu Sheriff, the immediate past PDP National Chairman.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff do not have or own a twitter account and could not have tweeted any message.

“We therefore view the said message as fake and mischievous and should be discountenanced as that of evildoers,” the statement said.

By Ifreke Inyang