Crack In Nasarawa PDP As New Faction Emerges

BY DONATUS NADI, Lafia

A new factional state chairman loyal to the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has emerged in Nasarawa State ahead of the Supreme Court judgement tomorrow on the status of Sheriff as the national chairman of the party.

Speaking to journalists in Lafia, the new PDP state chairman, Hon. Muhammed Sarki Tanko, said, the Sen.Ali Modu Sheriff leadership of the party has dissolved the Nasarawa State chapter of the party led by Hon. Francis Orogu paving way for his emergence as the interim chairman pending further directive.

According to Hon. Tanko, the dissolved Exco was sacked due to their

involvement in anti-party activities contrary to section 58 (i) e, f, and j of the party’s constitution.

“The state executive of the party led by Hon Francis Orogu is hereby dissolved with immediate effect. NEC has equally appointed an interim leadership to be chaired by Alhaji Mohammed Sarki Tanko (Danmajen Azara) “ he said.

But speaking to journalists yesterday at the state PDP secretariat in Lafia, chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Francis Orogu dismissed the claims of Sarki Tanko, noting that all the stakeholders and members of the party in the state are solidly behind him as the chairman.

Hon Orogu who displayed a letter of suspension of the said Sarki Tanko by his ward chairman and secretary, Tanko Paly and Ahmad Tasiu respectively, wondered why a none member of the party will be sponsored to cause confusion.

The chairman who was accompanied by all his state Exco members, accused Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of sponsoring Sarki Tanko to destabilize the party in the state and urged members of the party not take Sarki serious since he is not a member of the party.

He said the party in the state will accept whoever the Supreme Court pronounces as the substantive national chairman of the party in the country, adding that the party is ready to take over government in the state.

Responding, Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura said he is not aware of the existence of PDP  in Nasarawa State and could not  have sponsored its disorganization.