Governors of Nigeria’s opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, have withdrawn from the reconciliation process
leading to the cancellation of the inauguration of the party’s reconciliation
committee.
leading to the cancellation of the inauguration of the party’s reconciliation
committee.
The inauguration was scheduled to hold on Tuesday, October
18, 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja
by 4:00pm.
18, 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja
by 4:00pm.
If inaugurated, the committee would have indicated a major
move towards ending the crisis that has undermined the political might of the
party and threatens its existence.
move towards ending the crisis that has undermined the political might of the
party and threatens its existence.
The aggrieved factions – embattled national chairman Senator
Ali Modu Sheriff’s group and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee,
had met last month and expressed commitment to end their feud.
Ali Modu Sheriff’s group and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee,
had met last month and expressed commitment to end their feud.
Both factions subsequently agreed to setup a reconciliation
committee of 28 members, comprising 14 persons from both camps to straighten
the peace process.
committee of 28 members, comprising 14 persons from both camps to straighten
the peace process.
But the proposed peace deal, as it appears, may be off the
table.
table.
It was gathered that the Governors’ withdrawal from the
process was due to Sheriff’s insistence on Jimoh Ibrahim as candidate in the
Ondo governorship election as against Eyitayo Jegede, who emerged under the
platform of Makarfi’s leadership.
process was due to Sheriff’s insistence on Jimoh Ibrahim as candidate in the
Ondo governorship election as against Eyitayo Jegede, who emerged under the
platform of Makarfi’s leadership.
The Governors are also angry that Sheriff inaugurated a
parallel party executive for Delta State, despite the existence of a
substantive party executive in the state, report said.
parallel party executive for Delta State, despite the existence of a
substantive party executive in the state, report said.
A party source was quoted as saying; “This was not our
agreement. Look at what is happening in Delta State PDP, inaugurating parallel
executive and look at what is happening in Ondo, the man is coming out with a
different candidate for the state governorship election.”
agreement. Look at what is happening in Delta State PDP, inaugurating parallel
executive and look at what is happening in Ondo, the man is coming out with a
different candidate for the state governorship election.”
The party is yet to make an official statement as to why the
inauguration of the reconciliation committee was cancelled.
inauguration of the reconciliation committee was cancelled.
