PDP: Sheriff appoints Ojougboh acting deputy chairman

*As Ondo, Ogun, Yobe chairmen pledge loyalty

From: Taiwo Amodu, Abuja

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has appointed former   national vice chairman (South-South), Dr Cairo Ojougboh as his deputy.
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC)  was dissolved at the national convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which announced a caretaker committee to administer the party with former Kaduna State governor,  Ahmed Makarfi as chairman.
The erstwhile deputy national chairman, Uche Secondus, along with other nine members of the dissolved national working committee have since pledged loyalty to the Makarfi committee.
Daily Sun gathered that Sheriff has already issued a letter to Ojougboh.
The letter, signed by national secretary of the dissolved NWC, Professor Wale Oladipo read in part: “Please, be informed that the NWC of the party at a meeting held on the June 28, 2016, and having received nomination from the Concerned PDP stakeholders (Abuja Convention Group) and major stakeholders in the South-South has appointed you (Ojougboh) as the acting Deputy National Chairman of the party pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the erstwhile deputy national chairman. This appointment takes immediate effect.”
Oladipo  urged Ojougboh to “ discharge his function with dedication to ensure the progress of the party.”
Also, barely 24 hours after 24 states chairmen pledged loyalty to the Makarfi committee,  chairmen of Ondo, Ogun and Yobe states chapter of the party have also pledged loyalty to Sheriff’s leadership.
Leader of the delegation,  Prince Boroye Biyi  moved the motion for the vote of confidence on behalf of his colleagues and it was seconded by Alhaji Lawal Gana from  Yobe.
Prince Biyi expressed concern over what he viewed as the demonisation of Senator Sheriff, whom he claimed was begged to come and lead the party by certain chieftains of the party now accusing him of being an agent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There is a saying that where the lawless are the lawmakers, it is unlawful to be law abiding.
The era of impunity in the PDP has to go. Honestly, propaganda is modern way of telling lies and it will not help anybody. Our leaders went to beg Sheriff to come and lead this party…”
“After the begging, votes were cast by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and he emerged. Today, the story is that APC brought him. Meaning that those leaders who went to beg him, were the APC leaders.
“Sir, the payment of staffers, the sanitisation in the secretariat abound as good testimonies of what you have done.”
“On this premise that the PDP are having a good image in the minds of Nigerians, leading by your humble self, I move a vote of confidence on you and your exco.”
His Yobe state counterpart,  Alhaji Lawal Gana pleaded for understanding of the two contenders to the office of national chairman of the main opposition party to build a united platform.