A Group known as Restart Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Project has given Ali Modu Sheriff March 31 ultimatum to quit as National Chairman of the party.
This is contained in a statement signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Jackson Ude and its Conveners, Mr Emmanuel Nwosu and Denis Ukpabio in Abuja on Thursday.
The statement said the group took the decision at the end of its meeting in Abuja on Thursday. “If he dares imbibe the evil spirit of tenure elongation, he must be ready to bear the consequences of such unconstitutional action.” The group also decried what it termed the sudden approval and support of Sheriff as PDP Chairman by members of the Board of Trustees (BoT).
It wondered how within the space of eight hours after a decision to reject the appointment of Sheriff, the BOT swiftly had a change of heart and endorsed the former Governor of Borno State as chairman.
The group described the swift turn around by members of the BOT as smacking of corruption and impunity that had been the bane of the party.
According to the group, such impunity, corruption and disregard for interest of the party will no longer be tolerated.
“We condemn the summersault and volte face of the Sen. Walid Jibrin’s BOT to back Sheriff as chairman of the PDP.
“It is unfortunate that such high level of party leaders who represent the conscience of the party could be swayed over a plate of porridge offered to them by a serial decampee who has no reputation to lead our great party.
“They have mortgaged their conscience on Sheriff’s few naira.’’
According to the group, it is on record that Sheriff is a serial defector and his continuous membership and chairmanship of the PDP will make the party remain a dumping ground for politicians.
“Sheriff is not known to be a democrat. He is simply a political passerby in PDP whose credentials will pollute the fresh air needed to revive the political fortunes of the party.
It added that for openly threatening Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Sheriff had demonstrated his undemocratic characteristics of intolerance to political opinion.
“Such behavior is alien to the PDP founders and its members worldwide and must not be accepted.
“The character and personality needed for a chairman of PDP must be unimpeachable, humane, broadminded and acceptable.
“Sheriff is not an acceptable leader for the PDP and any attempt to continue to foist him on the party will spell doom.’’
The group commended all members and caucuses for their leadership role, commitment and dedication to reviving “our great party.
“We commend those who have shown genuine sincerity and commitment to the cause of the genuine reform of the party.
“We also commend those who have genuinely stood against and remained unwavering in their condemnation and rejection of the imposition of Sheriff.’’
The group said while it awaits and expects Sheriff to do the needful on March 31, it also expected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to honorably leave the party same day.
Other members of the group who attended the emergency meeting, according to the statement, include; Co-Convener, Chief Jackson Ude; National Publicity Secretary, Galadimawa Ibrahim, Mrs Adebayo Adeyinka and Chief Chuks Eze.
Restart PDP, a nascent group within the Party has membership in the 36 states and the FCT.
Reacting to the statement, Jubrin said it was unfortunate that anybody could accuse him of being induced with money on the election of Sheriff as chairman of the party.
Jubrin said the decision to support Sheriff was taken by members of the BoT and not his unilateral position.
“Looking at my age and credibility, it is unfortunate that somebody could be making such an accusation about me.
“I have history and integrity to protect and how much can anybody offer me to compromise that.”
He added that if majority of members had accepted the chairmanship of Sheriff, he couldn’t have done otherwise. (NAN)
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