Sheriff’s faction to boycott PDP meetings

There were indications in Abuja on Sunday that members of the sacked National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to its erstwhile National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, have decided to stay away from the party’s meetings slated for Monday and Tuesday.

A dependable source close to Sheriff confided in our correspondent on Sunday that the former governor of Borno State had travelled to the Middle East.

The party’s Expanded National Caucus, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee are meeting on Monday (today) and Tuesday at its national headquarters in Abuja.

Monday’s meeting is expected to be attended by former Presidents and Vice-Presidents, PDP Governors, National Executive Committee  members, Board of Trustees members, National Assembly members, former PDP governors, former PDP ministers and all former national officers of the party.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is the only former President produced by the party who is still a PDP member.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had left the party and even tore his membership card in annoyance. Before then, he was the chairman of the party’s BoT.

PDP governors are also expected at the caucus meeting.

Apart from Sheriff, others who are expected are the former National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo and the party’s former Deputy Vice Chairman(South-South), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, amongst others.

However, a member of the sacked NWC said, “We won’t be at their meetings. Let them hold their meetings while we wait to see what would come out from there.

“Our chairman is not in the country. He has travelled to the Middle East and we won’t take any action in his absence.

“This is politics. We were in it together and we are still in it together. So, let us wait and see.”

It was however not clear if the meetings would consider sanctions against Sheriff and his co-travellers.