• Demands release of Kanu, Dasuki, Suswam, others

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has foreclosed further meetings with the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu  Sherif.
It did not, however, foreclose reconciliation.
The caucus also demanded immediate release of those currently in the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) for alleged graft but have been granted bail by court orders.
In a communique issued after the meeting of the caucus and signed by Zonal Chairman and National Vice Chairman, South-West, Eddy Olafeso, the party declared its support for the National Caretaker Committee, led by Makarfi and distanced itself from Sherif.
Host of the meeting, Governor Ayodele Fayose, who faulted the Federal Government for holding on to detainees already released by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court, said continued detention of former governors of Benue and Niger states, Gabriel Suswam, Babangida Aliyu, as well as Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), “amounts to dictatorial act on the part of the federal government.
“When you are dealing with dictators or people with resemblance of abusing human rights, the highest you could go is to go to court and seek the release of those being held arbitrarily which actually is their constitutional rights.
“But when ECOWAS court has given judgment in favour of a detained citizen and the government of the day is bent on detaining them, then you know that such government is dictatorial.
“This is our country, the only thing we own as human beings are our rights. We will continue to mount pressures and let the world know that we are under siege with the government of the day. “
Fayose lauded former President Goodluck Jonathan for making efforts recently to reconcile the warring factions, gave knocks on Sherif.
“We laud the efforts of the former President Goodluck Jonathan, he has proved that he is a worthy leader. That some people walked out on him does not take away the goodwill of former president. We have great respect for him.
“As for Sheriff, he calls himself the chairman of our party, but, if indeed, you are the leader, you should be the last to get angry. And, also, be the last to walk out on a meeting meant for reconciliation,” he said.