Following the nullification of the 2014 PDP constitution amendment upon which factional Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff was appointed as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, the National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Ahmed Makarfi has expressed satisfaction.
The committee advised Sheriff to retrace his steps and join hands with others to move the PDP forward.
However the Sheriff camp has said that the judgment does not mean Sheriff has been sacked, noting instead that sack the judgement was being misinterpreted.
Justice Valentine Ashi nullified the 2014 PDP constitution amendment upon which Sheriff was appointed PDP chairma, describing the said amendment as illegal and a violation of the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the judgement, Secretary of the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee, Senator Ben Obi said the judgement as a welcome development.
“We expect more positive court rulings in the days ahead in favour of our party. It is time for them to face the truth and retrace their steps,” he said.
He called on Sheriff and his supporters to stop their hard line posture and cooperate with the caretaker committee to move the party forward.
“We believe that truth must be upheld; we want all hands to be on deck to chart the way forward”, Obi added.
In a frantic effort to dismiss the judgment, the National Secretary of the Sheriff faction, Prof. Adewale Oladipo said in a statement that it is completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court as it never gave any ruling ousting the national chairman.
Oladipo said in a statement issued on Wednesday, “Our attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ousted the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ali-Modu Sheriff.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.
“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the national chairman of the PDP. He still holds office as the national chairman and has not been removed by any court.
“We therefore urge those misleading the media and the unsuspecting public to desist from such.”
He urged the media to always crosscheck their facts before going to press.
