• Says, I’ll respect INEC decision on Ondo
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s has warned National Publicity Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye to stop speaking for the opposition party.
In the event that he refuses, Sheriff said he should be prepared to face contempt charge.
The warning could be an indication that the peace talks between the National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Sheriff, a former Borno State governor has broken down.
In a statement issued yesterday night by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Bernard Mikko, Sheriff’s camp said it is contemptous for Adeyeye to speak for the PDP on national issues, after an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang has declared the caretaker committee illegal.
However, in a swift response, Chinwe Nnorom, from Makarfi’s publicity unit said while it does not wish to dignify Mikko with his statement, it was imperative to point out that the caretaker committee is a creation of the National Convention, which is the highest decision making organ of the party.
“want to believe that this unknown individual is acting on a personal agenda to gain very cheap political favour from Senator Sheriff’s Group especially, given the on-going reconciliation processes with Senator Makarfi and Senator Sheriff in the interest of our great party,” the caretaker committee stated.
Meanwhile, Sheriff said yesterday night, he will respect the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in respect of whoever is recognised as the candidate of the party in Ondo State’s governorship election.
In a statement issued yesterday night by his Special Adviser on Media,Inuwa Bwala, the PDP leader said the clarification has become necessary because of speculation linking with controversies surrounding the party’s governorship candidate in the state.
Messrs Eyitayo Jegede(SAN) and Jimoh Ibrahim are currently engaged in a tussle over who is the authentic candidate of the PDP in the November 26 Ondo governorship poll. While Jegede was nominated by the Caretaker Committee led Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Ibrahim is the candidate of the Sheriff faction.
The statement read in part:”Sheriff wishes to state that, as a law abiding leader, he is bound by whoever INEC publishes as both candidates in contention are respectable members of the PDP, and he will treat their issues based on merits and in accordance with the law.
“He dismisses insinuations that he is behind several petitions against the INEC stressing that, he has done his duty by submitting a name to INEC, and expects that the Commission will act in accordance with its own mandate.
“Sheriff is not unmindful of events leading to the emergence of the two candidates, but wishes to assure Nigerians that steps are being taken to resolve all such issues even beyond what INEC may do, to avoid past experiences occasioned by internal bickering in the PDP.
“The national chairman wishes to assure the people of Ondo State that, Party Leaders have been working to ensure the PDP wins in the forthcoming elections, immaterial of who fly’s its flag.
“He is not aware of any alleged move to blackmail INEC as he has high regards for the Commission, even as he charges INEC to ensure that the PDP is not short changed in any future election, but should allow the people’s votes to count.
“Ali Modu Sheriff did not author nor did he authorize any petition to be written on his behalf, as is being mischievously alleged in some sections of the media and wish to state that people should stop using his name to settle scores.”