The former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ali Modu Sheriff has reiterated his commitment to the reconciliation process in the party, saying that the statement by the governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose that the courts should be allowed to resolve the leadership crisis in the party “has no impact whatsoever” on the process.
Speaking yesterday while inaugurating a faction leadership of the party in Delta state, Sheriff said the problems in the party can only be resolved through dialogue as has been initiated between him and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
It would be recalled that Senators Sheriff and Makarfi early this week resolved to work together to end the leadership crisis that had engulfed the party since May this year.
While the move has been hailed by many, the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose pooh-poohed the initiative, saying “it will not work unless the matter is decided on by the Appeal Court.
“When cases are in court you allow the court to lay them to rest. The moment this thing doesn’t favour one side, they will tell you ‘we are still in court. But allow the court to take a stand and reconciliation would be made easy. I’m not against anybody reconciling with each other but when you see that meeting, ask the conveners if governors were briefed” he said.
But Senator Sheriff who was represented at the inauguration by his Deputy National Chairman, Dr Cairo Ojuogboh said not minding the outcome of the cases in court, there would still be need for reconciliation.
“We want to tell Nigerians that the two leaders,( Sheriff and Makarfi) are committed to reconciliation, and to encourage our teeming supporters that the statement made by Fayose has no bearing on the reconciliation. In spite of what the Appeal Court or Supreme Court decides, there would still be need for peace. It is either we do it before or after the court judgement.
“We want to appeal to Fayose to key into the peace process that the two leaders are championing,” he said. Vanguard
