The Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended the Edo State Executive Committee of the party, saying the suspension is in line with the provisions of section 31 (2) (e) of the PDP constitution.
The faction said in a statement on Saturday signed by Mr. Sheriff and the National Secretary of his faction, Adewale Oladipo, that the suspension was part of the decision taken at its NWC meeting on June 21.
It said the decision followed various petitions alleging irregularities at the last state congresses that was meant to elect state executive committee for the chapter.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) decided to suspend the Committee instead of outright dissolution to enable it investigate the allegations and come out with a fair and just decision,” the statement said.
The faction said the NWC has also appointed a caretaker committee to manage the affairs of Edo State PDP for the constitutional stipulated period of three months.
The committee, it said, has Ebenezer Alabi as chairman and Zealiwe Edmund as secretary. Other members are Ehimekpen Okharedia, Melody Osagie, Blessing Agbabaku, Negerese Berry, Daniel Asekhame and Dan Omozokpai.
Edo chapter reacts
In a swift response, the Edo state chapter of the PDP said Mr. Sheriff has no power to sack its executive committee.
In a statement by its chairman, Dan Orbih, the state chapter said Mr. Sheriff’s action has shown that he was not a true member of the PDP.
“By his pronouncements and his actions, he has shown the whole world that he is not a true member of PDP. He is on a mission designed by the party in government that is being executed by him,” he said.
He also said Mr. Sheriff was never elected as the chairman of the PDP, rather, he was appointed by the National Executive Committee. He said Mr. Sheriff should stop arrogating powers that he doesn’t possess to himself.
“Hundred Sheriffs cannot dissolve the Edo exco as he is no longer the acting chairman of the party.
“The only body that is constitutionally empowered by the party to carry out the functions of the national executives of the party today is that of the Makarfi-led national executive which by law is the national executive that is in place,” he said.
Mr. Orbih said the NEC approved the appointment of Mr. Sheriff as acting chairman for a period of three months, which he said had elapsed after the national convention of the party which held on May 11, 2016.
“So, the convention with its overwhelming power, dissolved the executive national organ of the party and appointed a caretaker committee that will oversee the affairs of the party pending when we hold the next national convention to elect the officials.
“So, Sheriff is merely exercising his foul mouth to make illegal pronouncements that can never be obeyed by any person in our party.
“I advise him to steer clear from Edo PDP and face his political integration in Borno where since he left office as governor has been a hotbed of political crisis,” he said.
