SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU ADVISES SHERIFF TO EMBRACE PEACE

Senator Buruji Kashamu finally opens up on the leadership tussle faced by the Peoples Democratic Party between Senator Alimodu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi. In this press statement, he also made his position known to the party and the general public.

During the press statement he stressed that his support for Senator Sheriff was as a result of the fact that he was never told by anyone that the party wanted to change Sheriff, after it was agreed by all concerned that Sheriff should be made the party’s chairman to fill up the vacancy at the moment.

Read below the full speech:

PDP LEADERSHIP TUSSLE, THE WAY FORWARD

BY SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU

Following various media reports and insinuations that have trailed my recent rapprochement and the ongoing efforts at reconciliation and resolution of the leadership crisis in our party, it has become necessary for me to make a few clarifications and offer some insights into where we are. The points are as follows:

Let me clarify that no one has dumped anyone. We are members of the same party. When I was asked by our leaders to support our revered national leader, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, as the National Chairman, none of the leaders told me that they had changed their mind. Therefore, my support was to maintain the dignity and respect for the office of the National Chairman.

· Disputes and disagreements are part and parcel of any dynamic organization. But while we disagree, we must not throw away the baby with the bath water as true party men and women. There must be room for resolution of the disputes and disagreements.

· After series of meetings with many of our respectable leaders, a larger meeting was held with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi last Tuesday at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge. The meeting had in attendance Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Biodun Olujinmi; Senator Suleiman Adokwe from Nassarawa State; Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jubrin; House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor; former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and my humble self, with other notable and meaningful leaders. The meeting which began around 11a.m on Tuesday lasted till 5a.m on Wednesday; and the discussions at the meetings were frank and tough.

· I was amazed by the fact that during the negotiations, the two leaders confirmed their unwillingness to contest the National Chairmanship of the party. They both agreed that an expanded National Caucus meeting should be held and that a National Convention Committee (NCC) be set up within a week and then the NCC will run the affairs of the party till the National Convention is held. They both agreed that a date should be fixed for the National Convention within a month. They both agreed that the two of them will address the nation and members of the party at the National Convention. In effect, the two great leaders showed that they have the interest of the party at heart.

· However, the only point of divergence was who should preside over the expanded national caucus meeting and constitute the National Convention Committee.

· It was then proposed that they both Co-Chair the expanded national caucus meeting and jointly constitute the National Convention Committee. Other proposals were made.

· It was at this stage that I decided to attend the expanded national caucus meeting and join hands with other well-meaning leaders to see through the reconciliation process. As a true party man, I could not but support the reconciliation process in order to move the party forward.

· One thing I took away from the many reconciliation meetings and diplomatic shuttles is the fact that the PDP is blessed with many good leaders among who are Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

· Therefore, I can only plead with our great leader, Senator Sheriff, who has been hurt, to soft-pedal and let go, in the interest of the party and our teeming members. He has shown that he is a principled man and a courageous person.

· Since he and Senator Makarfi have said they are not interested in contesting for the office of National Chairman of the party at the National Convention, he should encourage all his people to participate in the process leading to the rescheduled National Convention.

· I have read comments credited to Dr. Cairo Ojougboh to the effect that the cases in court will be pursued till the end. As someone who has been preaching peace and reconciliation, he should not be seen to be fuelling the situation. As it is said, you cannot cry more than the bereaved. Senator Sheriff is a man with a large heart who is forgiving as a true Muslim and as enjoined by the Almighty Allah subwatala ala.

· Finally, I wish to enjoin all my leaders, elders, associates and supporters in the South West to join hands with all our states, zonal and national leaders to move our party forward. Let’s sheaths our sword; put an end to recriminations and in fighting. Let’s move on in one accord as a people united.