Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party’s May 21 national convention, the South-West chapter of the party on Thursday declared its support for the North to retain the PDP’s national chairmanship position.
Ali Modu Sheriff
Leaders from the zone told the National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, when they paid him a visit in Abuja that the South-West was not interested in the post.
This came as Sheriff pledged to unite the PDP members from the zone.
The PDP’s South-West leaders made their position known in a paper they presented to Sheriff and other members of the party’s National Working Committee.
The situation report on the state of the party in the zone was signed by Sen. Buruji Kashamu, Sen. Teslim Folarin, the chairmen of the party in the six South-West states and 30 others.
The group was led by the South-West National Vice-Chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe.
They also endorsed Kashamu as the leader of the party in the zone.
The party chiefs said the PDP would become a regional party if the South got the national chairmanship position.
The report said, “We say this because out of the five states in the South-East, the PDP has three governors. We have five governors out of the six states in the South-South. In the South-West, we have two governors.
“In the whole of the North, we have only two governors. We need to strengthen the North. If not, the PDP will be branded as a regional party if we go ahead to pick the national chairman from the South.”
Sheriff said, “We cannot afford to divide our house. If it means begging everybody, I will. You should resolve your differences.”
Senator Ayo Adeosun, who spoke on behalf of delegates from Oyo State, admitted that there was a serious problem in the party in South-West.
He said, “There are some influential people who are not here. We urge you to bring them on board. Lagos would have been ours but for an internal wrangling.”
Hope of resolving the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party over the emergence of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party has taken another turn as two members of a group in the main opposition party have asked an Abuja High Court to compel Sheriff to vacate office by the end of March.
Ali Modu Sheriff
They are also seeking an order of the court to compel the party’s national leadership not to hold the forthcoming national convention until the membership register of the party is computerised as stipulated in section 8(11) of its constitution.
The National Executive Committee of the party had fixed the convention, which is to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for May 21, 2016.
But the suit, dated March 8, which is aimed at stopping the meeting and the sacking of Sheriff, was filed by Mr. Nwosu Emmanuel and Mr. Eze Silas on behalf of the Restart PDP Group.
By implication, Sheriff and other members of the National Working Committee will be in office till May 2016, instead of March when their tenure ought to end.
Former ministers, who served during the party’s 16-year reign at the centre and the PDP Restart Group are, however, insisting that Sheriff and his management team should vacate office on March 31.
However, according to a copy of the originating summons, with suit number CV/1174/16, filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja, Emmanuel and Silas are the plaintiffs while the PDP, Sheriff and the NWC are the first, second and third defendants respectively.
Prayers being sought before the court is an order “restraining the 1st defendant, 3rd defendant and the current national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (Senator Ali Modu Sheriff) and all other national officers of the Peoples Democratic Party, whose tenure of office shall expire in March 2016 in line with the party’s constitution, from unlawfully extending their tenure of office beyond the mandatory four years term expressly stipulated in Section 47(1) of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
They also seeking an order “restraining the defendants, all officers and organs of the 1st defendant from parading or further parading the tenure of office of the 2nd defendant or any officers or organs of the 1st defendant, whose tenure of office shall expire in March 2016 in line with the party’s constitution, as having been expired beyond March 2016.”
While asking the court for a declaration on the tenure of Sheriff, they noted that Sheriff “having emerged to complete the unexpired constitutionally-stipulated four years terms of the last former national chairman of the party and his immediate predecessor respectively (Alh. Adamu Mu’azu and Alh. Bamanga Tukur), whose tenure jointly ought to expire in March 2016, should vacate office in March, 2016 as any extension of his tenure shall contravene the provisions of sections 2 and 47(1) and (6) of the constitution of the party”.
Seeking an order to stop the May 21 convention, they pleaded with the court to compel the party to give effect to Section 8 (11) of the constitution, which provides that a membership register of the party should be computerised.
The plaintiffs asked the court to restrain “the first defendant and all its organs from conducting party congress and 2016 national convention or other further national conventions pending the computerisation of the party membership register as mandatorily stipulated in Section 8(11) of the party’s constitution.
Section 8 (11) of PDP’s constitution reads, “The party membership register shall be computerised to ensure control and to avoid fraud and all ward registers shall be closed one month to congresses.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Restart PDP Group, Chief Jackson Ude, said the suit became necessary to ensure that the PDP allowed the constitution of the party to prevail instead of a “back-door agreement by few selfish individuals in the party.”
He added, “If the PDP constitution says Bamanga Tukur and Adamu Mu’azu’s tenure, which Ali Modu Sheriff is concluding expires on March 28, so be it.
“Let him and members of the NWC leave so the party can cleanse itself and begin on a new slate
“We must go back to the rule of law and the constitution. The impunity within the party is because few individuals decided on their own to jettison the constitution for their own selfish interest. All well-meaning members of the PDP must insist on the constitution.”
Dissatisfied with the three-month grace for the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Sen. Modu Ali Sheriff, some members of the PDP Ministers Forum may go to court to seek an injunction restraining him from leading the party.
Ali Modu Sheriff
They described Sheriff’s election and ratification by the National Executive Committee as illegal.
Also, the ex-ministers have asked Sheriff to step down latest by March 28.
It was learnt that some of the ex-ministers opted for court action following the refusal of some organs of the party to limit Sheriff’s mandate to the completion of the tenure of ex-National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu.
A source in the forum said: “We have weighed all options. Some of our members have decided to go to court to seek an injunction because the process leading to his nomination and selection was illegal.”
These aggrieved members have also resolved to ask the court to stop Sheriff from being the National Chairman of PDP beyond March 28.
“We will file our application in court any moment from now.”
In a communiqué at the end of their session on Tuesday, the ex-ministers rejected the three-month tenure given Sheriff by some organs of the party.
The communiqué, which was signed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki(SAN) and Chief Ojo Maduekwe, said: “We the Peoples’ Democratic Party ministers from 1999-2015 (hereinafter referred to as ‘The Forum’) met on Tuesday, 23rd February, 2016 in Abuja and deliberated on recent developments in the party, among other issues.
“The forum reiterates and affirms our commitment to the ideals and core values of the founding principles of our great party.
“Having considered the decision of the National Executive Committee of PDP in the last executive Committee meeting of Tuesday 16th February, 2016, the forum resolves as follows:
The forum rejects Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the PDP due to the illegitimacy of the process that purportedly brought him in.
The forum commends and supports the stand of the Board of Trustees of the Party for their rejection of the imposition of Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff for lack of transparency and internal democracy in the process.
The forum calls for the conduct of congresses at all levels of the party, leading to a National convention that should be held before the 28th of March, 2016 to return power to the people in tandem with the constitution of our Party and as encapsulated in our party’s motto: “Power to the People”.
The forum condemns all acts of impunity in the running of the affairs of the party, at all levels and implores all members to respect the constitution of the party and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A group, Osun Ibile Forum, has warned Sheriff over his threat against former Aviation Minister , Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator , Prince Adeoluwa Adesegun, the group said Chief Fani-Kayode’s statement on Boko Haram was already in public domain.
The group queried why Sheriff should issue personal warning on an issue already of public knowledge.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, on Monday dared his opponents, insisting that he would not quit.
Ali Modu Sheriff
The former governor of Borno State told journalists shortly after taking over from the Acting National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, at the party’s national Secretariat in Abuja, that those calling for his resignation were not as popular as him.
He specifically mentioned a former Governor of old Gongola State, Mr. Wilberforce Juta, who asked him to resign immediately.
Juta was the head of a group known as PDP Rescue Group, who had asked Sherrif to leave.
Some prominent members of his group include a former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara and a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Muktar Shagari.
Sheriff said that Juta had submitted himself for the selection process and wondered why someone he defeated would turn to the media and demand his resignation.
He said, “I saw the person who was reading the press statement, Amb. Wilberforce Juta. He submitted himself to the National Working Committee of this party, aspiring to be a chairman.
“Mohammed Wakil that you saw on the television also submitted himself to the Working Committee, to be appointed chairman.
“And votes had been cast. The man that was reading the press statement got one vote and he’s asking me to resign. Therefore, I will not resign.”
He said he would only tender his resignation letter if he was asked to leave by members of the National Executive Committee of the party.
Sheriff said, “The leadership of this party in their wisdom asked me to lead. If the NEC of this party collectively asks me to leave, I will leave.
“But not somebody who contested an election and got one vote; I think if there is morality, he should not even go to the television.”
The PDP chairman nevertheless asked his opponents to forget their grievances and work with him to build the party.
On the allegations that he was a member of the dreaded Boko Haram, Sheriff said it was wrong to tag him either as a sponsor or the creator of the sect.
The new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has been asked to resign immediately.
Ali Modu Sheriff
The PDP leaders, under the aegis of the PDP Rescue Group, led by Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, equally warned the party’s National Working Committee against extension of its tenure.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, Juta, who is the Chairman of the PDP Rescue Group, said the party leaders were upset and disappointed with the appointment of Sheriff.
Juta added that a majority of members of the PDP had no faith in Sheriff.
He said the person, who should lead the party now, should be someone he described as a person of impeccable integrity.
Juta stated, “The current leadership crisis is a challenge to every Nigerian in the sense that having the PDP destroyed by acts of error of judgment, as being witnessed now, is denying Nigeria of a strong opposition party that is badly needed if Nigeria’s democracy is to be strengthened and all tendencies towards civilian dictatorship checked.
“The crisis must challenge all party members to action to halt the party from further drift.
“The plan of the PDP Rescue Group is to mobilise party members and leaders to help attain this noble goal.”
He described the way Sheriff was appointed as a crude imposition, calling on the party stakeholders to search for a credible person to replace the former Borno State governor immediately.
Juta added, “Given that PDP is now a major opposition party, it is the duty of every PDP member to ensure that party leaders possess high integrity and leadership skills.
“To raise a leader, who is lacking in integrity and skills, is to throw the party and the nation into inefficiency, indiscipline, disorderliness and even chaos.
“Sadly, the overwhelming reaction of Nigerians to Sheriff’s emergence, especially PDP members and leaders, is that of disappointment.
“It is therefore critical, if the PDP must come back to national reckoning, that we remodel its leadership on the platform of honesty as required by the party’s manifesto.
“To this end, we call on all the party organs to rise to the challenge by insisting on the reversal of what is clearly a crude imposition of Sheriff on the party.
“The party organs – the State and Zonal Chapters, Board of Trustees, National Caucus, the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee; and pressure groups, such as the National Assembly Caucus, PDP Ministers Forum, PDP Governors Forum, the G-84 as well as PDP leaders past and present – should commence the search for persons with high integrity, strategic insight and fear of God Almighty to lead the party.
“It is our considered view that we should endeavour to elect only those with such discernible traits.”
He said the group was upset by the decision of the National Executive Committee of the party to appoint Sheriff.
Juta said he and members of his group were convinced that “this decision by the NEC is against the will and wish of the generality of faithful members.”
The group said, “We know for a fact that the North-East Zonal wing, having been directed by the National Caucus of the party to forward nominees from the zone, did not nominate Sheriff for the position of national chairman.
“In the interest of the PDP and the country, Sheriff should do the needful by stepping down honourably as it is evident that party members nationwide overwhelmingly reject his imposition.”
The PDP Rescue Group called for early congresses and National Convention to elect party leaders as the term of the current leadership would end in March 2016.
The leaders warned that “under no guise should the tenure of the current leadership of the party be extended if we must make the needed fresh beginning.”
Speaking with journalists at the briefing, a former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the group, described Sheriff’s appointment as an imposition.
Also, a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and Secretary of the group, Mr. Mukhtari Shagari, called on Sheriff to resign, adding that leaders of the party would not sit down and allow the party to die.
Some of the members of the group, who were at the briefing, are John Odey, Alh. Kabiru Mohammed, Dr. Akilu Indabawa, Dr. Umar Ardo, Mr. Bashir Maidugu, Mr. Mohammed Kabir, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, Lancelot Anyanya and Muyiwa Oladimeji, among others.
Meanwhile, the Forum of PDP ministers, who served from 1999 till 2015, are meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, where a decision would be taken on Sheriff.
A former Minister of Aviation, who is also the Chairman Committee on Strategy, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, stated this in a text message to our correspondent on Sunday.
“The PDP Ministers Forum, under the able leadership of Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN), the former Minister of Special Duties, will meet to deliberate on how to move our party forward in view of recent developments,” he said.
He added that contrary to some media reports, membership of the PDP Ministers Forum is not restricted to only ministers that served between 2011 and 2015.
He said the meeting that would hold on Tuesday was not just for the ministers that served under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The meeting is for all PDP ministers who are still in the party and who served between 1999 to 2015,” he added.
Since he was named the national chairman of the party on Tuesday, Sheriff has faced a series of rejection by notable members and organs of the party but the PDP governors have supported his emergence.
The Board of Trustees and ministers, who served under Jonathan, had earlier called on Sheriff to resign.
The Peoples Democratic Party, which prides itself as the largest political party in Africa, may soon experience the mass defection of its leaders and their followers to other parties.
Ali Modu Sheriff
Prominent members of the party, including ex-ministers, are against the emergence of a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as national chairman.
In recent times, some prominent members of the PDP had decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
On Saturday, one-time Campaign Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Senator Dalhatu Tafida, announced his resignation from the PDP.
Tafida, who until recently was Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, explained that he was leaving the party because it had lost direction.
The former PDP stalwart announced his decision in an interview he granted the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, monitored in Abuja.
Tafida said, “Before now, it performed creditably but now the party is only admitting people who are not supposed be in it. The party (as currently constituted) does not respect people like me. Those at the helm of affairs do not take advice and members behave the way they like.”
He explained that though he had yet to decide on his next move, he had not joined any other political party.
Similarly, a Second Republic Governor of the old Borno State and the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2011 election, Mohammed Goni, expressed his displeasure with Sherrif’s emergence as chairman.
“I am uncomfortable and very disappointed that a character like Sheriff could be appointed as the chairman of the PDP,” he said.
Goni, who said he did not know how the party picked Sheriff as chairman, lamented that his choice might force many PDP members in Borno to seek an alternative.
He stated, “I do not see why a character that made a mess of our state should be foisted on the entire party. I and others in Borno PDP may have no other choice but to seek an alternative elsewhere.
“Sheriff has a burden of Boko Haram to bear. He left a legacy of crisis in Borno that the state is still battling with it.”
Our correspondents gathered that a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Madueke, might also leave the party. A highly placed member of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said Tafida’s exit was the beginning of what was likely to become an exodus from the party.
He said, “What Tafida said today is not different from what Ojo Maduekwe said during our last meeting. Madukwe expressed his reservations about how things are being run in the party, but his observation was rejected. Maduekwe may leave too.”
Some former ministers, who served under former President Goodluck’s administration, had on February 17 threatened to leave the PDP if Sheriff was not removed as chairman.
In an interview with The PUNCH, the spokesman for the former ministers and former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said the party’s reconciliation moves had failed.
A former minister in the party, who confided in SUNDAY PUNCH, said he and his colleagues would decide on the way forward during the PDP Former Ministers’ Forum holding on Tuesday.
The ex-minister said the majority of members of the forum wanted Sheriff to leave the chairmanship position.
He said, “Although the governors have been trying to pacify us, they have not succeeded as many of us are insisting that Sheriff should not be the chairman. At the meeting, we will take a stand on the issue and our decision will be communicated to Nigerians. It is too early to say this is what we are going to arrive at when we have yet to meet.”
Also, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory and Secretary of the PDP Former Ministers’ Forum, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide, said a position would be taken on Tuesday.
In an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, she said, “I will not jump the gun over the issue of the PDP chairmanship position. The forum will hold a meeting on Tuesday where the matter will be discussed and a position will be taken. Those who will be attending the meeting have the right to voice their opinions because they are elder statesmen in their own right.”
When asked if she would oppose or support Sheriff’s choice, the former minister said, “It’s not a personal issue. It’s about the good of the party. I am not speaking for myself or for the members. The meeting will address relevant issues on Tuesday.”
Members of the forum led by a former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, on Friday met with the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, to express their displeasure with the appointment of Sheriff.
At the meeting in Akure were a former Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, Ms. Jumoke Akinjide.
A source at the meeting told our correspondent on the telephone that they berated Mimiko for allowing himself to be swayed by Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The source said, “We told Mimiko that we were not happy and that we were disappointed in him for allowing Wike and Fayose to dictate to him. We also told him to step down if he could not stand firm. He appealed to us to be patient.”
In Borno State, mixed reactions greeted the appointment of Sheriff as the chairman of the PDP.
A member of the party, Bala Usman, said Sheriff was only living on past glory and had nothing to offer, especially in Borno.
He said, “We made the mistake of admitting him into the party during the last election and the rest is history. That outing was the worst in our history in Borno. I only hope the same fate does not befall us at the national level now.”
But another party member, Yusuf Ibrahim, said, “Sheriff’s appointment as chairman shows that he has something to offer. All l can wish for is that he performs well in this appointment by making our beloved PDP a success again.”
Jonathan’s congratulations
Meanwhile, sources in Sheriff’s camp said former President Jonathan had congratulated Sheriff. SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that Jonathan congratulated the new chairman on the telephone in the presence of members of the National Executive Council of the party.
A source at the meeting said, “Jonathan has congratulated Sheriff despite the protests by some members of the party. The former President told Sheriff to act like a father and unite the warring factions.
“Most of those who are accusing Sheriff are not members of the organ of the party. They do not belong to the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees or the NEC. They are mostly ex-ministers who are not involved in the running of the party but want to dictate to us.”
•Mimiko sends chartered jet to Abuja • Embattled party chair pleads with ex-Minister Turaki •Ex-ministers meet Tuesday
Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday, on behalf of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, launched a fresh initiative to save Senator Ali Modu Sheriff from being humiliated out as National Chairman of the PDP.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko
Mimiko, who doubles as chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, invited some former ministers in the cabinet of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to a meeting to beg them to accept Sheriff who was picked by PDP governors as the party’s new national chairman.
Many influential members of the PDP, particularly ministers in the Jonathan Administration, are uncomfortable with Sheriff’s leadership of the party, and are threatening to dump the party if the governors’ decision is not reversed.
The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) is not disposed to confirming Sheriff’s nomination either.
The governor dispatched a chartered jet to convey the ex-ministers to Abuja for the parley but some of them declined to honour the invitation.
They opted to meet on Tuesday decide their next line of action.
The Forum of ex-PDP Ministers may be expanded to include those who served under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua .
Mimiko, investigations revealed, is greatly disturbed by the negative reactions sparked by Sheriff’s selection.
A well placed party source said: “In the last 72 hours, Mimiko has been personally reaching out to all the aggrieved ex-Ministers, state chairmen of PDP, Senators, members of the House of Representatives and members of the Board of Trustees(BOT).
“Today (yesterday), a chartered jet was provided by Mimiko to bring the aggrieved ex-Ministers to Abuja but some of them shunned the sudden invitation. A delegation led by ex-Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), however, left for Akure.
“Mimiko is trying to pacify all groups in order to allow Sheriff to be in charge. He does not want the crisis in the party to degenerate further.
“The governor has been making calls to all those who are against Sheriff. He asked them to sheathe their swords. He is trying to save Sheriff. The truth is that Governors Ayo Fayose and Nyesom Wike led us to this mess.
“The ex-Ministers are however adamant. They have fixed a meeting for Tuesday to decide the next line of action.”
Sheriff himself has embarked on reconciliation shuttles to strategic leaders of the party.
For a start, he has paid a surprise visit to Turaki, who is coordinating the Forum of ex-PDP Ministers.
Another source said that Sheriff seemed to be monitoring the ex-Ministers’ meeting.
“Before the meeting ended on Wednesday night, Sheriff was already waiting in Turaki’s home. He begged the ex-Minister to prevail on his colleagues to give him the opportunity to lead the party,” the source said.
“The ex-governor assured Turaki that he would not disappoint the party if allowed to lead the party.
“But there was no concrete assurance from Turaki who said he would consult widely.’
Fani-Kayode explodes over Sheriff’s selection
Aviation Minister in the Obasanjo Administration, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said yesterday that he found Sheriff’s coming distasteful, evil and godless. Fani-Kayode said the former Borno governor is nursing an agenda to fly the party’s Presidential flag in 2019.
He said Sheriff’s selection as the party’s national chairman cannot stand.
He said: “As a consequence of this calamitous decision, we have, literally overnight, become a shell, nay, a shadow, of what we used to be. Unfolding events will prove my assertion true. I have no doubt that time will eventually prove me right and vindicate me.
“The bitter truth is that this arrangement is an affront against the Living God and it cannot stand. Yet, if it does stand, the party will pay a heavy price for it because it will inevitably lead to the end of the PDP as we know it.
“Imposing Ali Modu-Sheriff is an insult to all those that have fought for, led, served, defended, supported and risked everything for the party, at every level, over the last 17 years. Only the deeply malevolent can be comfortable with such an arrangement.
“It is evil. It is godless. It is indefensible. It is shameful, and as long as it stands the PDP does not have the moral standing or authority to criticise or condemn others. Those that made this decision behind closed doors and without proper or wide consultations have murdered sleep.
“They have not only betrayed the confidence that the rest of us bestowed upon them but they have also prepared the coffin for our great party and dug its grave. It is a tragedy of monumental proportions and I have little doubt that God will judge them for what they have done.
“Ali Modu-Sheriff’s long-term plan to highjack the leadership of the party for as long as possible, remain as National Chairman indefinitely and emerge as the party’s presidential candidate in 2019 will fail because it does not have the blessing of God. Time will prove me right.”
Fani-Kayode praised the BOT and state chairmen of PDP for rejecting Sheriff’s selection.
He added: “The truth is that appointing him as our Acting National Chairman is like appointing Jack the Ripper as the leader of the Conservative party in Victorian England.
“Kudos must go to the elders in the PDP Board of Trustees, a number of State Party Chairmen and a number of key individuals in the PDP Ministers Forum for taking a courageous and noble stand by rejecting and resisting the imposition of this abominable monstrosity.
“What Ali Modu Sheriff stands for and represents is utterly repugnant to every fibre of my being. Yet, I have no objection to his being a member of the PDP simply because politics is a game of numbers. It is a game in which everyone, no matter how big or small, counts. If you want your party to grow and make progress you must accept the good, the bad and the ugly.
“To this end, when he left the APC and joined the PDP sometime back, I was one of those that gladly welcomed him into our ranks and defended him in the public realm. This was at a time when others criticised the party for accepting him.
“Evidently, we have sold our birthright and heritage, not just for a mess of pottage like Esau, but rather for a free ride on a private jet.
“This is what a party that was once led by successive groups of seasoned and formidable intellectuals and great men of power, vision, courage and good character has been reduced to. This is what the party that was founded and once led by giants like President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Tony Anenih, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, General T.Y. Danjuma, Vice President Abubakar Atiku, President Umaru Yar’adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Bode George, Col. Ahmadu Alli, Chief E.K. Clark, Professor Jerry Gana, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Ken Nnamani and so many others has degenerated to? What a pity! What a monumental tragedy!
“This is a party that once boasted of having in its ranks many promising and dynamic bright young stars that were collectively capable of shaking the very foundation of the civilised world and creating new frontiers and greater hope for the future of our people and our beleaguered nation. How are the mighty fallen.”
Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday said the new national chairman of the PDP, Ali Sherriff, would end up working for the ruling APC in 2019, against his claim that PDP would reclaim power in 2019.
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje
Mr. Ganduje said this on in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists at the monthly APC media roundtable.
According to him, the new PDP chairman does not have the clout to restore power to any party.
Mr. Sherriff had on Wednesday said that he would ensure power return to the PDP.
“I do not wish to engage in cross fire, but I will like to tell you that it is the normal utterance of one who wants to impress his followers.
“I believe it is an empty threat. Looking at the antecedents, the history of the chairman himself, we all know he is a cross-carpeter.
“He is always on the move in changing from one party to another. Even when he was in All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) for eight years, he was working for the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Even the APC started with him, and then he went back to the PDP and we were happy. I am sure in the long run he will work for us, and that is what I believe.
“We are happy because we believe in the long run he would work for us; find out his history, you will believe me,” he said.
On establishing state police, which some states have been clamouring for, the governor said the time was ripe to allow states to be in charge of their own policing and security.
“Given the situation we find ourselves, I think there is no better time we need the state police than now because the security at the moment requires intelligence information.
“It involves people who are conversant about the society, who are conversant with the tradition, who are conversant with the culture,” the governor said.
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has hailed the emergence of former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), calling on all members and supporters of the party to support the new chairman.
Fayose vows to lead opposition against APC
Governor Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the choice of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was in the best interest of the party.
He said; “I have always defended the party even at the risk of my position, personal security and comfort. I have always stood for the truth, and I cannot now be part of any decision that won’t represent the party well.
“I supported the processes that led to the emergence of Ali Modu Sheriff because I believe in him and for those who may be aggrieved for one reason or the other; I plead that they should sheath their swords in the overall interest of our party.
“Most importantly, the reality that we must all face is that we are in a peculiar situation and such a situation deserves a peculiar approach.
“What the party leaders have done therefore is to tackle the present situation in our party with the most appropriate solution and we must all stand by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who is our present solution to our present situation.”
Speaking further, Governor Fayose said, “the All Progressives Congress (APC) knows Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s capacity in terms of political network, being a three term senator and two term governor, and must be afraid that with such a person as the PDP Chairman, their regime of lies will be over soon.”
Flays Ibekaku over allegations of poor performance
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it will soon declare a former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff wanted.
Ali Modu Sheriff
Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said Sheriff refused to honour the invitation for him to appear before the commission was not honoured.
Uwujaren said: “The EFCC invited him (Sheriff) but he didn’t turn up. We have two options; we might declare him wanted.”
He hinted that the refusal of Sheriff to appear before the commission was a grave offence and misconduct, and would not be taken lightly by the EFCC.
He also lambasted the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the last elections, Ms. Juliet Ibekaku, over allegations of non-performance against the commission.
Ibekaku was said to have accused the EFCC of poor performance in the just concluded APC Policy Dialogue held in Abuja.
But Uwujaren said Ibekaku, “a failed APC deputy governorship candidate in Enugu State, has been using her participation in the APC to fire broadsides at EFCC.
“She was applauded by her audience, who mistook her intervention for altruism. Unknown to them, what drives Ibekaku is neither party nor national interest. Rather she is galvanised by a burning, selfish desire to run down the EFCC because she was dismissed from the commission for gross misconduct.”
Contrary to Ibekaku’s allegations that in the past eight years EFCC has not convicted any governor or recovered assets, the commission further listed several convictions recorded and confiscation of properties involving former governors and other public officials.
The EFCC listed former governors who have been convicted to include DSP Alamieseigha and Lucky Igbinedion. While the properties of Chimaroke Nnamani, Orji Kalu, Joshua Dariye, James Ibori, Abubakar Audu, Rev. Jolly Nyame and Ayo Fayose have been confiscated.
According to Uwujaren, “the obvious goal of Ibekaku is to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians by her posturing as an anti-corruption czar, what with her curriculum vitae that advertises her as a top official of the EFCC, where she spent about seven years of her recent adult working life.
“Ibekaku has declared war on the commission for simply telling Nigerians she was no longer in the service of the EFCC, contrary to her posturing.”
The EFCC also accused Ibekaku of engaging “one Emmanuel Onwubiko of the so-called Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) to mudsling the commission.”
He observed that “Onwubiko in his many blind interventions at Ibekaku’s behest claimed variously that she was dismissed because she was from the South-east and for advocating for an independence for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
“Lately, she has modified those positions to include the fallacy that the commission is after Ibekaku because she is being considered for a ministerial position or even the chairmanship of EFCC.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC said the commission was pleased with anti-corruption stance of the president – elect, Muhammadu Buhari, as he will help to empower the EFCC more to fight corruption.
Uwujaren told journalists in Abuja that “we are pleased that Muhammadu Buhari is coming with the message of anti-corruption as his cardinal point, which every Nigerian should be proud of.
“This will empower us the more. Everyone should be proud of that, we welcome the focus on corruption by the incoming government,” he said.
Senator Ajayi Boroffice, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, represents Ondo North in the Senate. In this interview with JOHN AMEH, he says the likes of Chief Tom Ikimi and Ali Modu Sheriff were never genuine members of APC, arguing that their departure from the party would rather boost the chances of APC in 2015 election.
As a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, how do you react to people who say there’s no difference between APC and the Peoples Democratic Party?
Tom Ikimi
I have heard many Nigerians ask the difference between the APC and the PDP. There is a lot of difference. APC is a progressive party while PDP is a conservative party. In a broad sense, I can say that we are against every vice that has been exhibited by the PDP administration; especially corruption. And if we, as we are determined in APC, can reduce corruption by maybe, 70 per cent, this will give us a very healthy economy and also affect many aspects of Nigerians’ lives. It will promote a viable economy, political stability and social security. These are the three pillars we are bringing into government. We are going to tackle corruption and bring qualitative education that is highly subsidised. Recently, universities were closed for almost six months. This should not be happening in Nigeria. Recently also, medical doctors went on strike. The infrastructure in the country is very poor; almost non-existent. Yet, we have enough money to fix these things. The centre is too powerful and we intend to embark on devolution of power, remove certain things from the Exclusive Legislative List and put them in areas we believe they can be better managed.
Youth unemployment is one of the greatest problems confronting this country today. So, we are going to create an environment to enable individuals to find fulfilment in generating income for themselves. We are going to reform the civil service to ensure that it operates with integrity. We are bringing good governance with transparency, which the PDP is not doing.
But it is difficult to convince Nigerians because people still believe all the governors steal money, whether PDP or APC.
They are alleged or accused to have stolen money, right? There is no proof that they have stolen money. But one thing we should look at is the output of the governors. If you look at the APC-controlled states, you will agree that they have worked very hard. Go to Osun and see what the governor has done. Even in Ekiti that we have lost, Fayemi has worked very well in putting infrastructure in place and improving the educational system. I think what people said worked against him is the stomach infrastructure. If you go to Osun, it is the same thing; Aregbesola has worked very hard. If you go to Edo, of course, it is very apparent what Oshiomhole is doing; everybody knows it. If you go to Ogun, you will see what Amosun is doing. If you go to Oyo; I studied at the University of Ibadan. The last time I went to Ibadan, I had to engage a rider to take me to Premier Hotel because I could not find my way. The governor has done a network of roads. If you go to Lagos, of course, that one is a reference point for all. All these are APC states. So, if they are corrupt, where do they get money to do what they are doing? These are just allegations. As I said, every politician is corrupt in the assessment of Nigerians. Even some of us as legislators, they see us as corrupt. They see members of the National Assembly as corrupt; chairmen of councils are corrupt. That is the mindset of Nigerians. That is why we want to run a government that is transparent, that people will say is sincere and honest.
For example, in Kano State, Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso publishes on a weekly basis, the financial position of the state. And if you are challenging him that what he publishes is not correct, come out and prove him wrong. There is a marked difference between the performances of APC governors and those of PDP. The evidence is there, go through these states and you will be convinced.
But APC has problems everywhere as exemplified in Sokoto and Kano states. In Edo, people are even moving to PDP. Why?
No, APC is different from PDP. You see, PDP is a party that has been in existence for many years. APC is a new party brought about by the merger of legacy parties. Some people even came from PDP to join APC. In the formation process, you find that the template does not receive some of the people who want to come in. So, if the man coming doesn’t fit into the template, he bounces back. That is what we have seen. And like I have said, there is nothing strange about that in a party that is just going through formation. It is in PDP that you can say you have a lot of crises; for APC, it is still undergoing metamorphosis. What we are having now is a biological evolution, where the bad ones are eliminated and the good ones are retained and re-energised for the survival of this nation.
After the APC National Convention, it appears the party has not been getting things right.
The developments you are seeing with APC is the best thing to happen to us. It is allowing us to sieve out the bad from the good. Let those who want to leave, leave us. We are very happy. Some of us even said we should have a thanksgiving service that people like Tom Ikimi and Modu Sheriff left. Look at the statement of Davies, the Australian negotiator, that Sheriff is behind Boko Haram. Imagine if he was still in APC, you can imagine what the likes of Fani-Kayode would have been saying by now. Now that he is a part of PDP, they are trying to shield him. You see, the convention provided a turning point where those who really believe in the ideology of the APC will stay, as opposed to those who are just gold-diggers. Ikimi wanted to be chairman and when you look at his antecedents, there is no place for him in APC. There is no place for somebody like Sheriff in APC. And you can see down the line. So, for us, we are very happy that some of these people are leaving voluntarily. The more of them that leave, the better for the APC. We want to present a party that will bring a change to this country in terms of administration, in terms of transparency. Not people that have been soiled and stained. Once you have a bad individual in the assembly, it is possible that he can corrupt more and more people. We don’t want that to happen. We want to sanitise the system and we can only accommodate people with honour, people with integrity, people who are very serious. That is what that convention has done for us. The party still has internal cohesion in the leadership at all levels.
What do you think the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, should have done better in the last six years? Or, what could you have done better if you were the governor?
Of course, there are a lot of things that I would have done better. The problem that Mimiko created for himself ab initio was that he surrounded himself with mediocrities; people who cannot tell him the truth or bold enough to advise him correctly; people who cannot come to him and tell him, no, Oga, what you are doing is wrong. So, when you have yes men around you, you become the almighty one. When you are wrong, nobody is there to correct you. And because of that, he misrules in such a way that budgets are not implemented, projects are not executed; no employment. Well, if I were the governor in the past six years, the first thing I would do is to improve on the revenue generated by government. This is to ensure that we don’t completely depend on what comes from the Federal Government. Secondly, in order to create employment, I will revive all the industries that were created by our revered father, late Adekunle Ajasin. We will create other industries; for instance, we have large deposit of coal in Ore, the Southern part of Ondo-North Senatorial District. Around there, you can create a cluster of industries, generate power and do a lot more. We only have a token of roads from Mimiko in three major towns, including Akure. But, we need massive infrastructure development in the whole state. There should be good roads in each local government. Now, instead of building mega schools, I will spread the cost across the state. With N10m, you can build a block of classrooms, and you are spending N350m to build one mega school, where you have less than 20 classrooms. In my own place, a school was completely shut down in order to provide way for this mega school. There are only about six of these mega schools in the whole state.
But a lot of people believe the governor’s Mother and Child Hospital project is very successful
The ordinary man cannot afford the cost of going to Mother and Child. To me, it is just an elephant project to attract the World Health Organisation award. The local government system is completely non-existent. The councils cannot construct one kilometre of road because the local governments are paralysed and starved of funds. Their money was utilised for the building of market stalls that the ordinary market women cannot afford.
Shortly before the last governorship election in Ondo State, the APC leader, Bola Tinubu, allegedly anointed Rotimi Akeredolu instead of allowing the aspirants to test their popularity at the primaries. What is your view on the imposition?
No, I don’t share that view. Every political party has its own mechanism of choosing the flagbearer in accordance with the Electoral Law. I think this was followed. I didn’t see Akeredolu as being imposed on us. And I didn’t see the hand of Bola Tinubu in the emergence of Akeredolu. We all participated; we held a series of meetings and consultations. The primary was held in Akure and INEC was present; the leaders of the party were present too. So, I don’t know how people can now say that Bola Tinubu imposed a candidate on us. The candidate emerged from consultations and also from the primaries held. So, it is a wrong notion to say that it was as a result of imposition, no. Of course, if the main election were to be free and fair, Akeredolu could have won. We know that the election was not free and fair. It was full of shortcomings, fraud and all that. We know that as Nigerians, these are not far-fetched in our system.
Some people thought APC would win that election. Are you saying that your party came a distant third because of the claim of fraud?
You know, something surprised me. I have an uncle who is one of the chieftains of Labour Party. He told me before the election that APC was going to be distant third. I couldn’t believe it because I thought he was joking. He told me and he was very confident that APC would be distant third and that was what happened. So, you see, all these things are pre-planned. I don’t have the details, but we believe that the election was not free. That was why we went to court to contest it. Unfortunately, some of the issues raised were thrown out by the court. If an investigation is properly made with INEC’s cooperation, you will discover that the result returned for LP was incorrect. The calculation and arithmetic were even done in such a way that if there was going to be a run-off, it was going to be between LP and PDP.
Is it not true that the party lost because you withdrew your support for Akeredolu soon after the primaries?
That is not true. I am a loyal party man. I come from the local government where we have the deputy governor, we have the deputy speaker of the House and we also have a member of the House of Representatives. We have two commissioners also in that single local government. APC won the local government; I won my unit and I won my ward. So, how can you say that I withdrew my support for Akeredolu? I gave Akeredolu full support and it manifested in the result of the election.
So, why are people saying that your defection from LP to APC made the fortunes of the latter to nose-dive in Ondo?
No. If you say LP has not been dong well, yes, I will say I share a blame, for distabilising LP, not to say that APC has not been doing well. That is not correct. Don’t forget that I defected to ACN from LP and ACN metamorphosed into APC. Just like a child, it learns to walk and there will be some problems. But, I can tell you that if there is going to be any election in Ondo State today, APC is going to win. I think Mimiko has infuriated many people so much now that we have hundreds of people defecting from LP to APC. That is what I have been doing for the past two weeks; receiving people from LP. So, there are people who also want to leave PDP because they are aggrieved. So, we are harvesting from LP and the PDP. That is a very exciting experience for us as politicians.
What about this allegation that the money the APC released to execute the campaign programmes was embezzled by party stalwarts, including yourself?
Let me say this. The electorate in Nigeria generally don’t trust leaders, whether it is in PDP or APC. And PDP has even monetised politics to the extent that everybody believes that things can only happen when there is money. And when they don’t see but there is an appearance of somebody receiving money, they will conclude that the person has received a lot of money. But, let me tell you, there is this saying that people go to party leaders to take money to run elections. Of course, we don’t have a governor; so the money must come from somewhere. Party leaders put a lot of money in the parties. But, the money was not misappropriated. It is just that it didn’t go through the right channels in most cases. It didn’t get down to the units where the actual work is needed. Nobody can accuse me of embezzlement and I am saying it categorically; I never received one kobo during this election. I spent my own money and it is well known to the APC leadership. I spent my energy and I campaigned vigorously for the election. What I am saying is that, the leadership of the APC saw it as a responsibility to fund the election and they did that adequately. However, along the line in the chain of distributing the money, it did not reach the units where it was actually needed. I don’t think that people embezzled money. For what? But, as I said earlier, the electorate are always looking for a scapegoat when there is a failure. I insist that nobody has mentioned my name anywhere.
Your former colleague, Mimiko, is being wooed by the PDP; have you been approached to cross over to another party?
There are people who are in politics because they want to make money. So, such people, you can get with money. I don’t belong there. When I left LP, they wanted me back at all cost. They spoke to the royal fathers, they spoke to everybody. The PDP also wanted me to come to the party. But I found it difficult to go to PDP. I don’t want Nigerians to see me in that light. I believe I have something to contribute to the development of Nigeria and I believe that ACN and now APC, provides me that platform in terms of ideology and in terms of the people; the progressives. You have people who have put down their lives for the sake of democracy in this country. I believe that that is where I can contribute my own quota and not any other party. That is why I find it difficult to join the PDP or to go back to LP.
In other words, no juicy offer can make you to move to another party?
I have had so many juicy offers before and I have rejected them. So, don’t worry yourself.
Nigerians easily recall your performance when you headed the space agency. But, they still say that you should have done more, considering the huge funds spent during your tenure. Did some of the money go into private pockets?
Well, I like Nigerians. What I think we lack is investigation. We now have freedom of information law that gives you that power to go to any institution and request any kind of information. So, when people come out and make all sorts of allegations, we investigate and find out the true position. We really struggled to get to where we were when I was in charge of affairs there. People opposed us, including top people in government because they believed that the space projects were elitist. The money was not even coming. But, I thank God that we had the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was a visionary. He was able to see beyond what others were seeing; he supported us. I can tell you that some of the funding came from foreign loans, not even internal resources. And the loans were given by a government that provided the technology. So, there is no way you can ask them to give you the money, which they have loaned you, which they are supposed to use in their country, to provide you with satellite and other infrastructure; it is not possible. I think it is the usual stereotyped allegation that people level against a very successful person. Of course, I have never been invited one day by the EFCC or the ICPC or any other anti-corruption agency in the country to come and give account of anything.
People still think that beyond your achievements at the space agency, you have not really grown much in terms of becoming a political force, at least on the floor of the Senate.
Well, I cannot define myself in that concept. I think I like people to define me. When you understand the way our orders are in the Senate for instance, some individuals may become paralysed. You can only talk when the President (Presiding Officer) calls you to talk. So, if he doesn’t call you, there is nothing you can do. That is very important. But, then the debate in the chambers is not the only thing that you do as a legislator. There are oversight functions; there is the constituency project. I think in those two areas, I have excelled. In the chambers, I am not the only one that has found it difficult to express himself. You cannot because of that let things bother you. When you are in the opposition, you know that these are the things you have to face, unless you want to be unruly. So, you just go there, you watch them; you raise your hand and if you are not recognised, so be it.
So, it is not by choice that you are not very active in the chambers?
No, it is not by choice. It is a political atmosphere where the side of the divide where I belong does not allow me.
Is the jumbo pay of senators justified then, looking at what you have just admitted? Nigerian senators are said to be the highest paid in the world and the pay is even kept secret.
I know what I collect; if my ipad was here I would have shown you the details of what I collect every month.
No, Senator, you are the one collecting and spending the money; so you should know the total figure off hand without your ipad.
I collect about N936,000 monthly. That is it.
Senator, you are talking about the salary only?
Yes, that is the salary. What else am I being paid? It ends there.
You mean to tell Nigerians that a Senator earns only N936,000 per month?
Yes. There is a body that fixes our salary. You can go and ask the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. Go and find out from them what a senator earns. People sit down, manufacture information and propagate it as if it is the correct thing. That is why I say that investigation is very good.
Why do you always rubber-stamp executive bills in the Senate?
Well, let me tell you. We are not a rubber-stamp. There are many bills in which both the opposition and the majority do agree. In such cases, you do not have any problem. Look at the gay issue; the homosexual bill. Everybody agreed that it should go. There are so many bills coming from the executive, which we believe are very good bills. So, no problem. But, when a bill comes and it seems there are some colourations, it generates a lot of debate. Politics is a game of number. Even if you all don’t agree, once the required number is in support of the bill, it passes and there is nothing anyone can do about that. So, we are not a rubber-stamp; some bills have been turned down outright even after first reading. But, because we do not make noise in the Senate like the lower chamber, there is this wrong notion. In the lower chamber, there is youthful exuberance, there is the excitement that they want to talk; we don’t do that in the Senate. Some of us are former governors, retired military officers, retired professors; so, we have seen it all. We are no longer playing to the gallery. That is the difference.
What is your next political destination? Are you looking beyond the Senate in 2015?
I would love to go back to the Senate, hoping that my party will be in control. There are some people in the APC that if they come back, we all believe they can do better. I would want to go back to the Senate if my constituency says I should go back and my party says I should go back. But, I would love a situation where the APC would be the party in control of the majority.
But, we hear that your party is considering you as a likely presidential running mate.
You see, I have read something about it. But, you know that the constitution is very clear about this. It is not a position that you contest for. It is the person who is the candidate that will decide who will be his running mate. Up till now, we do not have a presidential candidate in APC. So how can one say that I am the running mate? What is before me is Senate and that is what I am fighting for. But, if my party says I have done well and the presidential candidate expresses his intention, of course, I will agree. That will afford me a better opportunity to offer my service to this country. But, I think people are just speculating.
Listen to Dr. Davis allegation here if you haven’t : Arise News
I have not been surprised over the revelation made by a Perth-based international adviser, Dr. Stephen Davis who spent 4 months in Nigeria trying to rescue the more than 200 girls abducted by the dreaded Boko Haram in April 14, 2014.
During an interview with Arise Tv yesterday, the Australian negotiator revealed, though what seems like an eye opening story, but already known information to many Nigerians. He expressed disappointment over the lives of the girls in captivity and accused Nigeria politicians of sponsoring the terrorists.
Ali Sheriff
Dr. Davis in his accusation mentioned a known member of the terrorist group, Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State and a former chief of army staff lt-Gen Ihejirika who was fired by President Goodluck Jonathan early this year, as the group sponsor.
The news of Lt-Gen. Ihejirika blew my mind as he would be the last person on earth to be a suspect due to the position he occupied and the part of Nigeria he hails from. It could be recalled that after he was fired, the Northern elders attempted to drag him to International court of law for carrying out genocide through his soldiers, a statement that almost led to the Eastern elders bringing in the history of Biafra.
Ali Modu Sheriff has been a target for quiet sometime as the founder of the group, Boko Haram. In 2003, Sheriff in his attempt to grab power, sponsor a group called The Yusufiyya Movement now Boko Haram.
Sheriff was the same man who, through his deputy, Adamu Dibal and the secretary negotiated for the return of the former Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf who fled to Saudi Arabia after leading a Taliban uprising and clash with Policemen in Yobe State.
Sheriff used the The Yusufiyya Movement to take over power from Governor Mala Kachallah, in Borno and promised them Sharia law in return. Instead of Sheriff to keep to his promise, he created a Ministry of Religious Affairs and appointed Alhaji Buji Foi, who was Yusufiyya’s national secretary, as its first commissioner.
Mohammed Yusuf after realising that Sheriff was not going to keep to his promise ordered Buji Foi and his men to resign. The movement later had a clash with policemen twice which led to many casualties from the group side including the death of Mohammed Yusuf.
What could not be gathered was how Sheriff reconciled his differences with the group that Boko Haram commander, Shuaibu Bama, a nephew to Senator Ahmad Zanna, was arrested in his house. Though the JTF claimed the commander was arrested in Senator Zanna representing Borno Central’s house.
Responding to the allegation “Senator Zanna told journalists that while he could not deny his relationship with his nephew, he disowned his house where the JTF arrested the suspect, stressing that the house belongs to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff the immediate former governor of the state.”
The above statement led to retaliation from Sheriff who accused Senator Zanna of inconsistencies in trying to defend himself. He query further on what Zanna’s nephew was doing in his house if they (himself and Zanna) were political rival as he claimed.
He added “obvious involvement with Boko Haram, given his past antecedence where people finger him as illegal importer of arms via his Hajj-by-road fame.”
The former governor said that some of the so-called “pilgrims by road” have been traced to terrorists’ camps in Afghanistan and Syria, and not Saudi Arabia, their preferred destination. It is very much on record that 27 of such pilgrims are still missing up till date.”
From the analysis above, it is obvious that both Sheriff and Zannah know who Boko Haram is. It could also be recalled that during the abduction of the Chibok girls, Senator Zanna and Sheriff always get information from the sect before the police and other forces?
Nigerians shouldn’t forget that Dr. Davis said the sponsors are mainly from the North, he also said that President Jonathan could not make any arrest yet as the opposition would raise alarm that he was arresting them to favour his election in 2015. He also revealed that one of the sponsors could emerge as one of the opposition’s candidates.
In is explanation, he assumed that the opposition may have the plan to halt the activities of the sect after emerging the winner but may find it difficult as the group may be uncontrollable. Who is the opposition presidential candidate?
In July 14, Sheriff suddenly decamped from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party. This was after a military source revealed to NAIJA CENTER NEWS that some materials found in Belmo forest during a raid of the insurgent’s camp belonged to the APC. At the same time, the UK order a proper investigation into the opposition party in order to determine its link with sect.
When asked why he left the APC, he said “The game has changed both in Borno and at the national level. APC has no solid foundation; a party cannot be built around an individual”, said Mr. Sheriff.
“I have taken time to study the package called APC and come to realise that it won’t work. And any serious politician, who knows his onions would not want to be in a ship that is bound to crash”.
“For now we are in high level consultation with our people and also with the PDP national officers. It is sad that our people here are in serious want; I came and saw many of them in serious difficulties, and we feel pained that we have to do something fast to assist them. We have no option now than to come and tell them that we are sorry, that we brought them a wrong party, but now we have come to correct our mistakes”.
But yesterday, Dr. Davis who spoke on his defection said Sheriff may have decamp to PDP for cover but Sheriff claimed that he made his decision to save Nigeria.. Whatever that means..
Will President Jonathan make the necessary step to bring this incessant killing to rest? Will he jeopardize his chance of being the President for another four years by arresting top leaders of the opposition as suspects of the sect? or will he just sit and look not to offend anyone? Isn’t it obvious that Ali Modu Sheriff has been playing a mole game?
The months of bickering and war of supremacy between Borno State governor, Alhaij Kashim Shettima, and his political godfather, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, may have come to a happy end yesterday in Maiduguri when the two All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders finally agreed to bury their hatchet and work together.
Sheriff and Shettima
The duo said they had decided to bury their differences having realised that it was not in the interest of the state.
The reconciliation, which will bring to an end the crisis that had already polarised the party into two major factions, was credited to the singular political sagacity brought to bear by Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam, an APC chieftain.
The peace pact was signed in the house of Senator Ali Sheriff located behind Government House, Maiduguri, where Governor Kashim Shettima and all who matters in the Borno State APC converged to witness what they described as “A watershed in the brief history of the party in the state”.
Governor Kashim Shettima, who made the first reconciliatory remark, said himself and his political godfather, Senator Sheriff, had decided to bury the hatchet and work together to ensure that the APC remained the ruling party in the state.
“This is a watershed moment for us; a momentous event in the contemporary history of politics in our dear state. We have had some hiccups in the past and we have resolved as a family to bury the hatchet as a family, to face the challenges ahead. APC is a great family which like any other big family, problems like these are inevitable. All is now over. We have reasoned as matured minds that in this time and age we cannot afford to engage in an endless war of attrition. We have resolved as a team in line with party rules to go for consensus candidates, in the event of no consensus, we then go for election. We have buried our differences in the interest of our people and security challenges of our state. This is the last that the world will hear from us here in Borno on the issue of intra-party squabbles”.
Shettima paid special tribute to Alhaji Kashim Imam whom he said had “Worked tirelessly to restore peace”.
Senator Ali Sheriff, who spoke last, blamed the entire conflict between himself and Shettima on fifth columnists whom he said are doing so just to eke out selfish gains and destroy the party. He denied allegations that he was trying to deny Shettima a second term or bring in a candidate that will deny Shettima another term.
He said, “It is true that we have been meeting in the last three days. We have talked a lot. The truth is that if APC, as a political party, loses a unit in Borno State today, I will be the number one loser because I know what it took me to build the then ruling party, ANPP, which is one of the major coalescing parties that formed the ruling APC in Borno State.”
