From Taiwo Amodu, Abuja
The protracted leadership tussle rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may ultimately affect its eligibility for the forthcoming Edo governorship election.
Daily Sun gathered that following last Thursday’s judgment of Justice Okon Abang which accorded recognition to the chairman of the dissolved national working committee of the party, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, the electoral umpire may review its acceptance of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the candidate of the erstwhile ruling party.
Justice Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja declared that the convention held last May in Port Harcourt that led to the emergence of Makarfi as chairman of national caretaker committee was illegally convened, as he noted that it was held in defiance to the orders of a Lagos High Court which restrained the party. The court submitted that every action taken by the Makarfi faction since its inception was a nullity.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last month rejected the list sent to it by Sheriff for the Edo gubernatorial election.
INEC premised its action on the fact that it did not monitor the primary that produced the faction’s governorship candidate, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekwemwen.
INEC Director of Voters’ Education and Publicity, Nick Dazang told newsmen that it collected nomination forms from 19 political parties ahead of the election fixed for September 10. Besides the PDP, other parties listed included the Action Aliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ACD), Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Independent Democrats (ID) among others.
But speaking with Daily Sun on phone yesterday, Dazang declared that the commission may review recognition accorded Pastor Iyamu after studying the recent order of Justice Abang.
“We are yet to take a position, but we have to examine the judgment and that will determine our next line of action,” he said.
Daily Sun further gathered that the faction, led by Sheriff had since written INEC asking it to immediately accord recognition to Iduoriyekwemwen based on the order of Justice Abang.
In spite of a likely volte face by INEC, the forum of state chairmen of the party had pledged its loyalty to the caretaker committee, led by Makarfi.
A statement signed by Yahaya Suleiman, FCT chairman who also doubles as chairman of forum of PDP state chairmen declared that only the candidate produced by the Ahmed Makarfi committee remains the legitimate candidate for the Edo election.
“Any of our member or members pitching tent with the former national chairman, Senator Modu-Sheriff should know that the interest of the party is supreme, paramount and bigger than any personal or parochial interest. This is why we are also pledging our support to the PDP leadership to dislodge and uproot the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State on Saturday, September 10.
“The PDP candidate in Edo State is Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and it has been confirmed by the court judgment in Port Harcourt on July 4, which also made INEC to accept him as the PDP flag-bearer. We are all queuing behind him and his running mate to provide the necessary dividends of democracy to the people of the state that have been impoverished in the last 71/2 years of the APC’s administration.
“We wish to, therefore, advise anyone hanging on to a non-existing court judgment or order on Thursday, July 28 by Justice Okon Abang to desist from doing so. Any such person or persons are only working to destroy the PDP and playing the script of the APC.”