Appeal Court Declares Ali Modu Sheriff As Authentic PDP Chairman

The court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has affirmed former Governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a unanimous decision, the three presiding judges held that Ali Modu Sheriff remains the recognized chairman of the party.

Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi have been engaged in a legal tussle through various litigations in courts across the nation, each getting varying directives that has consequently affected the stability of the party.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt headed by Justice Mohammed Liman had last year, given legitimacy to Makarfi as the party chairman and asked Sheriff to stop parading himself as such, while another court of co-ordinate jurisdiction in Abuja, headed by Justice Okon Abang ruled that Ali Modu Sheriff should be recognized as the person at the helm of affairs of the party.

Consequent upon this and the closure of party’s national headquarters at Wadata Plaza in Abuja, both Sheriff and Makarfi have been operating from satellite offices.

What is left to be seen if chieftains of the party from both sides of the divide who have at various fora, expressed readiness to abide by the outcome of the appeal court’s verdict will keep to their words, with a view to bringing lasting peace to the party.