By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff, in Abuja on Monday, pledged that he would not contest for the chairmanship of the Party in the proposed national convention of the Party as recommended by the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s-led reconciliation committee.
Sheriff’s decision followed the request for a written undertaking and the demand made by the Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, to make a commitment to that effect.
Speaking during a press conference held at the PDP Secretariat, Sheriff emphasised that he had accepted not to contest in the proposed national convention.
He stressed that he is determined to go ahead with national unity convention.
Sheriff added that he had already written to request for all key organs of the Party to nominate members to serve in the convention planning committee, following the recommendation by the Dickson-led committee.
While announcing full acceptance of the Committee’s report, with a promise not to interfere in the work of the convention committee to be set up, Sheriff commended the sacrifices made by Dickson and his team.
He declared that the report was not only comprehensive, but timely.
“The Committee’s report is not only comprehensive, but a timely intervention for a political solution. I wish to personally commend the Committee. The National Working Committee (NWC) members (are) fully aware of their rights under, or as stipulated in the judgement of the Court of Appeal of 17th February, 2017, has nonetheless undertaken to forfeit their unexpired tenure for the general good and unity of the Party.
“It has undertaken to endorse the conduct of a national convention where officials of the Party shall be elected in a transparent, free and fair election. I reiterate my avowed undertaking not to present myself for election as the National Chairman at the national convention,” Sheriff promised.