The last may not have been heard of the appointment of a former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as some senators from the South-east and South-south have threatened to dump the party.
Nigerian Tribune reported that, at least 20 senators have indicated they would leave the PDP if Sheriff continues in office.
It was also gathered that over 50 members of the House of Representatives, who are opposed to the development, are already in talks about their next line of action.
The potential defectors may pitch their tent with the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Labour Party.
“The Tsunami that will hit the PDP as a result of this decision will be unimaginable. We have some 20 senators already looking to the door right now. The number of members of the House is around 50. Let’s see how the party can survive that,” a source believed to be privy to the development said.
In the present administration, PDP has 47 of the 109 senators and 141 of the 360 members of the House of Representatives.
Insiders said some governors colluded to install Sheriff as national chairman, imposing it on the national caucus, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and overruled the Board of Trustees (BoT).
The six zonal chairmen of the party, the state chairmen and other stakeholders, including the National Assembly, were said to have voted against the choice of Sheriff, but the governors in question made sure their bidding was successful.
It was reported that former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Madueke walked out of the NEC when it became obvious that Sheriff was being imposed on the party.
Having achieved their objective, the governors were said to have started peace moves from Tuesday night, with the aim of ensuring a united party.
Sheriff was sworn in as the new PDP chairman Wednesday, February 17, 2016.
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