Another round of crisis appears to be brewing in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), less than a month of normalcy following the storm that characterised the chairmanship tussle that finally put Ali Modu Sheriff in the saddle.
The indications emerged Tuesday as the Board of Trustee (BoT) of the party warned the National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff not to stay beyond May 21 deadline given to him by the national leadership of PDP, otherwise there will be trouble.
Some interested parties have been drumming support indirectly for Sheriff to stay beyond May 21, even though they did not come out openly.
For instance, the PDP former governors, the South-west chapter of PDP, the Yobe group and others have all acknowledged Sheriff ability to take the party beyond its present level.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the Acting Chairman of BoT, Sen. Walid Jibrin said that staying beyond the stipulated time of three months tenure is an invitation to trouble, anarchy and the return of impunity in PDP.
The BoT Chairman advised Modu Sherif to respect his oath and acceptance of the powerful organs of the PDP that he will stay for only three months, and allow his name to be written in gold by honourably leaving the scene in May after the convention.
Jibrin had also warned against subverting the zoning arrangement of Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s post election Review Committee, where the presidency was zoned to the North in the coming 2019 general elections.
He said: “I want to offer some advice to PDP National Chairman, Senator Modu Sherif on the consequences of the evil machinations of praise singers and prophets of doom on the unanimous approval of the PDP Governors’ Forum; National Causes; BOT: and the NEC terminating his tenure and that of the NWC on the 21th of May 2016.
“The above responsible bodies have approved that the tenure of the national officers will end immediately after the convention when the new officers are duly elected. The present NWC received an overwhelming ovation and admiration at the meeting of the national caucus, BOT and NEC by overlooking their 2017 tenure in support of the 3 months approval of the respected organs of the party, which should strictly be complied with.
“Instead of listening to the praise singers, Modu Sheriff should follow the path of honour and integrity by simply taking a bow in May 2016 after the national convention.
“The recent courtesy calls to the National Chairman and the presentations being made especially calling him to continue beyond the stipulated three months tenure is an invitation to trouble, anarchy and the return of impunity in PDP.