The embattled factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said the national convention of the party billed to take place today (Wednesday) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is illegal.
A federal high court sitting in Abuja had on Monday given an interim order suspending the convention. That order was again reinforced yesterday by the court, which gave an interlocutory order directing the police to stop the convention from holding and barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from supervising it.
However, the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction said another court order in Port Harcourt Monday, had cleared the way for the convention to hold today, adding that it will hold as scheduled.
But Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to get rid of erring judges out of the nation’s judicial system, who he said are making a mockery of the judiciary.
Addressing newsmen Tuesday, in Abuja, the embattled factional chairman, who appeared visibly worried and angry, said he will not give up on the issue of the party’s chairmanship until “justice is done”.
He further vowed not to step aside until a national convention of the party is held in Abuja where every delegate and members of the party would elect new leaders.
Mr. Sheriff said if that is not done, he would remain in office till 2018, stressing that he was elected by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) as national chairman of the party.
“But the truth about it is that whatever they do is illegal, unacceptable and we will continue. I am ready to go tomorrow. But let this party not be taken over by one person. We cannot allow it. There are issues that need the attention of everybody”, he added.
