The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices, handed leadership of the party to the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the part.
A five-man panel of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in its judgment delivered on Wednesday, reinstated Ahmed Makarfi, earlier sacked by the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, as the National Caretaker Committee.
Other members of the panel are, Justices Onnoghen, Tanko Muhammad, Kayode Ariwoola and Dattijo Muhammad.
Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour who read the lead verdict validate the National Convention PDP held in Port Harcourt on May 21, 2016, where the Sheriff led National Executive Committee, NEC, was dissolved. He said the convention was not conducted in disobedience to any court order.
The apex court accused Sheriff of engaging in forum shopping, saying he “displayed infantile desperation to cling to office at all cost”.
Consequently, it awarded a cost of N200, 000 each, against Sheriff and Prof. Wale Oladipo who acted as National Secretary of the party under him.
Judgement of the apex court brought to an end a protracted leadership crisis that rocked the former ruling party.
While Ahmed Makarfi was present in court with a large retinue of loyalists of his faction, including Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Sheriff was absent from court.
Niger PDP Reacts
The People Democratic Party, Niger state has hailed the judgement of the Supreme Court which bestowed the national leadership of the party on the Senator Ahmed Makarifi
“The Supreme Court decision is a victory for democracy”‘ state chairman of the party Alhaji Tanko Beji said in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna on Wednesday .
In the statement, Tanko Beji praised the courage of the Supreme Court justices, saying “they (justices) have not allowed extraneous influence to determine their decision. Supreme Court Justices have again confirmed that the judiciary is last hope of the common man in the country.”
Tanko Beji also praised the teeming supporters of the party in the state for remaining steadfast while the legal battle lasted.
He however said that “it is now time for rebuilding of our great party. We must now come together and remains focused because the battle ahead is tasking”.
Leave a Reply