The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new twist on Saturday, May 21, 2016 after governors withdrew support for Ali Modu Sherrif, chairman of the party. A decision was made to sack the national working committee of the party and set up a caretaker committee.
Trouble started at Sharks Stadium at the end of a meeting held ahead of the convention.
An insider source told The Trent that it was clear that the governors were behind Ahmed Makarfi, former Kaduna state governor.
Sheriff had argued that the convention should be suspended in compliance with a court order, but the governors decided to go ahead with the exercise, prompting Sherrif to leave in annoyance.
Before he left, Sherrif announced that the convention was cancelled and delegates should go home. The host governor, Nyesom Wike announced that the convention would go on as scheduled.
Deputy national chairman, Uche Secondus quickly took charge and declared the convention open.
A national caretaker committee has been set up comprising a member from each of the six geo-political zones in the country. Ahmed Makarfi has been named the chairman and Ben Obi as the secretary.
Addressing a press conference after leaving the venue, Sheriff said he would remain in office till 2018.
He said he had used the powers conferred on him as chairman to suspend the exercise, boasting that nothing fruitful will come out of the convention.
Hattip to The Cable
