They said “imposing” the former governor of Borno State on the party by some of its influential members was meant to portray the party as an unserious entity.
In fact, some Jonathan's loyalists say the plan to reposition the former ruling party ahead of the 2019 general elections had failed with Sheriff’s emergence.
Spokesperson for the former ministers and a former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, also said the same in an interview with Punch in Abuja on Wednesday.
Sheriff was selected by the members of the party’s National Executive Committee at their meeting, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday. His selection has attracted divergent views from members of the party, including its many organs.
For example, the Board of Trustees of the party and its Senate Caucus have kicked against Sheriff’s choice.
Ex-Ministers Suleiman said it was obvious that the plan to rescue the party had failed. His words:
“Our rescue mission has failed; the redemption boat has capsized and our journey to recovery has come to an end. Whosoever partook in the decision does not mean well for the party and democracy in Nigeria.
“It is obvious that the fifth columnist has hijacked the party and they are hell-bent on sinking it deeper into irrecoverable level of the pit.
“Some of us would rather review our membership than subject ourselves to selfish interests of some cabal whose main goal is political profiteering. After all, our umbilical cord is not tied to any party.”
Asked if his group was planning to move to either the All Progressives Congress or form another political party, Suleiman said, “Some people will go to the APC while some will form their own political party if they so desire.
“Sheriff’s emergence is a setback for the party trying to build its image. Credible members and younger ones are going to leave the party. If his emergence is not reversed in the next one week, there could be massive exodus from the party.”
He said though the former governor had not been identified with Boko Haram, he argued that the perception of many people about him on the Boko Haram issue ought to have been considered.
He said, “For several times, he has been identified with the issue of Boko Haram, though he has yet to be indicted. But perception matters a lot. We can’t be defending that toga now. We don’t have such time.
“Remember also that he has problem with the EFCC. Such a man shouldn’t be asked to lead a party that is trying to regain power.”
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