PDP Finally Set for Peace with 24-Man Negotiating Committee

The factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and the Chairman of its National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, have agreed to set up a 24-man committee to handle negotiation between the two warring factions.

The committee consists of 12 members each from the two factions.

A top insider said, “I’m working on the terms of reference for the committee. We have agreed that each of us (factions) should nominate 12 persons that would be in the reconciliation committee.

“The names should be made known this week. However, we are giving each group the opportunity of knowing the nominees before we release the list to the public.”

Last week, there were fears that the promised reconciliation between the two factions was heading for the rocks when a prominent member of the Sheriff faction alleged that Makarfi was desirous for peace because his faction was losing out in the fight for the control of the soul of the PDP.

This prompted Sheriff's spokesperson, Mallam Inuwa Bwala, to issue a rebuttal, saying the affected person was not speaking for Sheriff.

According to The Punch, there were indications that Sheriff camp is worried over non-recognition of its candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

Sheriff had forwarded Ibrahim’s name to INEC as its candidate. But the commission recognised the candidate of the Makarfi’s faction, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), as PDP's candidate for the election.

Businessman Jimoh Ibrahim emerged candidate of Sheriff's faction.