PDP risks Edo guber as Sheriff writes INEC to disregard primary

 

Sheriff

 

The chances of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State may be hanging in the balance, as the embattled National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, has declared Monday’s primary held in the state as illegal.

The primary, held by the Ahmed Makarfi led caretaker committee, returned a former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as winner.

Sheriff, who said the primary was a contraption by an illegal care-taker committee, called on party members in the state to disregard the exercise.

Sheriff’s position was contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and signed by Sheriff and the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

Sheriff and Oladipo urged INEC not to confer legitimacy on the Edo primary, saying the party would conduct a proper exercise to nominate a candidate.

To this end, the Sheriff led PDP has released a scheduled congress in the state to start from June 23rd-June 29th. The inauguration of a congress committee is scheduled for Thursday.

The embattled chairman also warned chairmen of state chapters of the PDP and other officers of the party to stop holding meetings with the Makarfi committee, adding that such actions would attract sanctions.

He also announced the appointment of some deputy national officers as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in acting capacity.

Those appointed are expected to fill five vacancies created by the resignation of some NWC members.

The newly appointed officers are Mr. Okey Nnadozie – Acting National Organizing Secretary, Mr. Alonge-Niyi Dennis –Acting National Youth Leader, Mrs. Hannatu Ullam –Acting National Women Leader; and Mr. Bashir Maidugu –Acting National Legal Adviser.