I'm Still In Charge, Battered Sheriff Fights Back As PDP Struggles With 3 National Chairmen

The ex-governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff has declared that he is still the authentic party Chairman of the crisis-ridden opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing the conventions that reportedly sacked him as Illegal.

Yesterday, both Port Hacourt and Abuja version of the party's convention had produced two different interim leaders respectively. While the Abuja faction led by Jerry Gana picked Ibrahim Mantu, a former Senator; the Port Harcourt  faction led by Sheriff picked Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor; totalling 3 leaders who are all poised to lead the party, News Punch understands

Sheriff, who spoke with one of our correspondents through his media aide, Inuwa Bwala, said the constitution of the party did not give the governors any role in the party’s affairs, Punch Newspaper reported

He said he and other members of the NWC would meet to discuss the “charade” that happened at the “so-called convention.”

Bwala said, “The chairman had announced the suspension of the convention based on numerous and conflicting court judgments.

“He did that strategically in order not to embarrass the party and save it from further litigation.

“Those that met and said they were doing the convention did that on their own. The governors have no role to play in the party according to our constitution.

“Those who think they have money and that because of this they can run the party illegally will have to have a rethink.

“The NWC is still in office and we are meeting soon. The chairman remains in office. All other organs of the party like the Board of Trustees and the NEC will meet at the appropriate time. Sheriff remains the national chairman.”

It was, however, gathered that the party might witness a series of legal action in the days ahead.

On Friday, Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos ordered members of the PDP not to take any action that would void the proceedings of court on the issue of the parallel convention.

Also, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos on Friday refused to vacate the order not to conduct election into the offices of the National Chairman, National Secretary and National Auditor at the PDP national convention.