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PDP chairmanship tussle: Makarfi leads Sheriff with 24 states chair support

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2018: Makarfi sets-up committee to unseat APC

The Senator Ahmed Makurdi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)on Monday received 24 states chairmen of the party pledging their loyalty to his leadership.

The chairmen, who gave their support when they paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja also urged Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to explore the path of peace for the interest of the party.

Their endorsement of Makarfi is coming as Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, had also called on Sheriff and his group to tow the path of unity and come back to the mainstream of the party.

Mr Yunus Sulaiman, the chairman of the party in the Federal Capital Territory, speaking during the visit, stated that as field officers of PDP in the various states, “we are not happy with what is happening in our party and have resolved to visit you to tell you that we need to find a solution to it”.

He then called on Senator Sheriff to respect the decision reached at the Port-Harcourt convention, by the apex decision making organ of the party.

Senator Ahmed Makarfi, reacting, noted that since seven states of the federation do not have a substantive executive, what the support indicated was that the whole party structures are with the caretaker committee,

While he regretted the unfortunate crisis rocking the party, Makarfi added that the fact that there is crisis in the party was an indication that the party is alive and people cherish it.

“It is pleasing that the state chairmen met before now and have come to this resolution. We know that there are few states that congresses did not take place so that is why they are not here. It is unfortunate what we are going through but it is a good indication that PDP is alive and it is indicative that it’s a party people love and cherish” he said.

Senator Makarfi however warned that allowing the crisis to linger further “have the potential to harm us and affecting our chances of regaining power. We are not put out to witch-hunt anybody. Our key mandate is to bring everybody on board and organize a national convention.

“The courts can make pronouncements even if it is in your Favour but if you don’t have people following you, who will you lead? The people put you forward and if they don’t want you, give way,” Makarfi noted.

He said as leaders, the committee will encourage members of the party to visit other camps as long as it is in the interest of the party.

“We did not prohibit the visit of brothers and sisters no matter their thinking at the moment. Loyalty is not to individuals but the party and in that course, anybody can go anywhere in the interest of peace. We call for unity, sacrifice, accommodation, give and take. Under our leadership, we will provide these things. By the first week of July, we will do that” he said.

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