Modu Sheriff: Bull in a China shop, says PDP

Edo State chapter of Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, took a swipe
at former National Chairman of the Party,
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, describing him as a
bull in a China shop.

This came as facts emerged, yesterday, night that
the Independent National Electoral Commission,
INEC, would not monitor Wednesday’s
governorship primary being organized by Ali
Modu Sheriff’s faction of Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, in Edo State.

The state chapter of the party accused Modu
Sheriff of plotting to destabilize the party in the
state, which amounted to anti-party activity, and
suspended one of the governorship aspirants,
Matthew Iduoriyekemwen for one month, over
alleged plans to work against the party ahead of
the September 10 governorship election.

In a statement made available to journalists,
yesterday, in Abuja by PDP Edo State Publicity
Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the party said: “You
will recall that Edo PDP had its governorship
primary on June 20, 2016, and three aspirants
participated.

‘’The process, which was adjudged free, fair and
transparent was, watched live on national
television and chaired by Governor Dave Umahi
of Ebonyi State.

“Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was declared winner
with 584 votes, while Matthew Iduoriyekemwen
scored 91 and Chief Solomon Edebiri 38 votes.

“With the successful completion of the primary,
the party immediately activated its post primary
conflict resolution mechanism by reaching out to
the losers of the election in order to assuage
their losses in the democratic contest.

“In as much as we tried, we discovered that one
of the aspirants was adamant in working against
the tenets of our party. His behaviour and
utterances immediately after his loss have
become not only embarrassing to the party, but
also to the vast majority of Edo people, who are
yearning for a change of government and party
in Edo State.

"He has teamed up with the embattled former
national chairman of our party and even gone
ahead to purchase a kangaroo nomination form
for the same governorship slot which he lost just
a few days ago. His behaviour is unacceptable,
irresponsible and selfish.

“This conduct is not surprising as the State
Working Committee has uncovered his unholy
alliance with the Governor Adams Oshiomhole
led government of Edo State to destabilize Edo
PDP in their desperate attempt to retain power
in the forth coming election.

“At this point, it is pertinent to note that despite
this unholy plot, Edo people are wiser and are
prepared to effect a change of government by
voting in the Peoples Democratic Party
candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the
September 10 election .

“At the State Working Committee meeting held
on Sunday, June 26, 2016, it was resolved as
follows:

“All members of the party in the state are
enjoined to disregard the antics of Alhaji Modu
Sheriff and Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen in
their desperate attempt to discredit the
outcome of the governorship primary held on 20
June, 2016 at which Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was
duly nominated as the candidate of our great
party.

“The conduct of Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen
in associating with Alhaji Modu Sheriff with the
intention to destabilize the party in the state
amounts to anti-party activity. Consequently,
Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen is hereby
suspended from the party for one month,
pending further disciplinary action in accordance
with chapter 10 of the Peoples Democratic Party
Constitution of 2012 (as amended).

“For also associating with Alhaji Modu Sheriff
with the intention to destabilize the party in the
state, Hon Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayima is
hereby recommended to be disciplined by the
National Caretaker Committee in accordance
with chapter 10 of the party’s constitution.

“All party members in the state are enjoined to
refrain forthwith from associating or in anyway
dealing with Alhaji Modu Sheriff, Hon Matthew
Iduoriyekemwen and Hon E.J. Agbonayima
pending the conclusion of the disciplinary
processes now being undertaken by the party.

“All those party members said to have been
appointed into the kangaroo caretaker
committee announced by Alhaji Modu Sheriff
are advised to ignore the appointment and stay
away from the committee.”

However, addressing a press conference last
Thursday in Abuja, Sheriff had slated his faction’s
governorship primaries for Wednesday June 29,
while screening appeal was slated for Friday July
1.

He named Hope Uzodinma and Ahmed Gulak as
chairman and secretary of the primaries
committee respectively.

Sheriff had also claimed that INEC never
monitored the primary election conducted by
the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker committee
which produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its
candidate for the September polls.

Deputy Director Public Affairs at INEC, Nick
Dazang disputed the claim but stated that INEC
was awaiting the judgment of the appellate court
which is fixed for July 4 to enable it know which
of the factions to recognize.

He said: “Even though INEC monitored the recent
PDP Primaries, it is awaiting the judgement of
the Appeal Court scheduled for 4th July. The
judgement will determine which faction the
Commission will recognize.”

This is even as facts emerged last night that the
Independent National Electoral Commission,
INEC, would not monitor Wednesday’s
governorship primary elections being organized
by the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP in
Edo State.

“INEC is yet to take a decision on that even
though I learned Alhaji Modu Sheriff has written
the commission to say that he intended to hold
one (primary),” Dazang told Vanguard, yesterday.

He also noted that Section 85 of the Electoral Act
provided that any party that wished to hold a
convention or primaries shall serve the
commission a 21-day notice.

However, Dazang recalled that “the Timetable
and Schedule of Activities for the Edo
Governorship provides that primaries are to take
place between 2nd June and 4th July”.

By this design, the Sheriff’s faction has fallen
short of the requirement for a 21-day notice on
INEC.

Source: Vanguardngr