Ali Modu Sheriff has decided to ignore his staunch critic, Ayodele Fayose, as he cements his stand as the leader of the opposition party, PDP.
Controversial National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, said in Abuja in Wednesday, that he will not descend to the level of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.
Fayose has remained vocal in his criticism of Sheriff since the Court of Appeal pronounced him the chairman of the party on Friday.
Speaking to members of the party from the South-West in his office about the repeated tirades of the governor on him, Sheriff said there would be no difference between both men should he choose to reply the governor.
He also pleaded with the other governors not to destroy the party. “Ali Sheriff is not here to remain as National Chairman,” he said, promising to depart as soon as the national convention is held.
He promised a credible convention, adding that the election of leaders accepted by the grassroots is his mission and that he will do that by the grace of God.
Pleading for peace in the PDP, he said: “Let’s build this party. If you like and you want to change something, wait for the convention and vote for the person you like, and Nigerians and the world will see that you’re are validly elected by the PDP.”
He described the governors as being very important, saying they are leaders of this party by their own right, but should not divide the party.
Of the Ekiti State governor, he said, “I beg him to respect PDP, whatever he said about me posterity would judge him. He will devote more energy and time for the rebuilding of PDP.”
He also told his guests that he and his rival for the office of national chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had mutually agreed before the appeal court delivered the judgment not to further challenge it, whatever it was.
“Makarfi and I resolved that whatever is the outcome of the appeal court judgment that we will not destroy our party, that once we get the judgment from the Court of Appeal that will be the final judgement for everybody.
“We spoke to all Nigerians about this, it is on record, but all the same everybody has the right to do what he wants to do. But it is good to place on record what we have as agreement.
“Now the court of appeal has made a pronouncement that the status quo ante be maintained being that myself and the legally adjudged party exco who did not resign from office voluntarily because anyone has the right to resign voluntarily remain in office.”
He said he would reopen the National Secretariat of the party before Friday.
