Sheriff is National Chairman, not in acting capacity — PDP confirms; dismisses Gulak’s claims to position

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved to clarify the status of its new-appointed leader, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, saying the North East zone chieftain of the party is not on an acting capacity but the substantive National Chairman.
A statement released by the party, Thursday, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the election of Sheriff ‘is in line with section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution.’
“The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the media and members of the public that His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff is substantive and not acting National Chairman of the PDP as being erroneously rendered by a section of the media.
“His appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party in its 68th meeting last Tuesday, to replace Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, who resigned as National Chairman, is in line with section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution, which empowers NEC to fill a vacant position with a person from the zone where the officer originated from.
“The PDP therefore urges the media and members of the public to note this accordingly,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, reacting to the suit by estranged chieftain of the party, Alhaji Ali Gulak challenging the choice of Sheriff and also to being the authentic National Chairman of the party, Counsel to the PDP, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), Thursday, in a statement, described it a ‘a lie.’
“My attention has been drawn to claims made by Alhaji Ali Gulak who is the Respondent in Appeal No. CA/A/24/2016 filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and Chief Uche Secondus.
“In the Appeal, the Appellants seek the setting aside of the Ruling of the FCT High Court in Suit No. CV/153/15 and invariably the Judgment of the same Court based on lack of jurisdiction.
“Contrary to the insinuations made to the effect that no Stay of Execution is pending at the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal on Monday, 22/2/2016 will hear the Application for Stay of Execution in Motion No. CA/A/24/MI/2016. This Motion came up on 11/02/2016 whereupon the Court ordered Parties to file Written Addresses.
“I seize this opportunity to debunk the lie that the Judgment of the lower Court by any stretch of imagination declared Alhaji Ali Gulak theNational Chairman of the Party.
“The Court only ordered that a member of the Party from the North East including Alhaji Gulak be appointed National Chairman to complete the tenure of former National Chairman, Alhaji Muazu who resigned. This
appointment was to be made by the Party’s NEC and NEC went ahead to elect Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and not Alhaji Gulak.
“On the argument that Chief Uche Secondus, who as the Deputy National Chairman cannot preside over the NEC meeting that elected Senator Ali Modu Sheriff by virtue of the Judgment of the FCT High Court, I state that it is an issue only a Court of competent jurisdiction can resolve and we await Alhaji Gulak Court processes,” he said.