Efio-Ita Nyok|18 February 2016|5:55am
Sequel to the naming of former governor of Borno State, Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif, to the national chairmanship of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday 17 February 2016, there have been a flurry of reactions from Nigerians, both sympathisers and non sympathisers of the PDP. In Cross River State, observers of local and national political trends have aired their reservations in respect of the naming. One of such groups is social commentators/public affairs analysts. What follows is a cross section of what some opinion leaders had to say about Sherrif's naming:
*Princewill Odidi:
'The alledged selection of Modu Sherriff as the new PDP chairman smirks bad thirst.
PDP is presently undergoing image problems and have been accused severally by the ruling APC of insensitivity to acts of corruption in the last regime.
I would suppose that the selection of a very credible party chairman should be the first step to redeeming her image.
Modu Sherriff's perceived accusation of complicity with Boko Haram whether it is true or false should have ruled him out as a candidate.
The consequence of this singular action would imply that in the next three years before elections, the time PDP should have used to redeem her corporate image, they would spend it defending allegations on Mr Sheriff.
Liyel Imoke, Odili, Ibrahim Sherma or Ribadu would have been better choices for party chairman.
In my independent judgement, with Sheriff as Chairmen, PDP is gone for good.'
*Ray Murphy Ugba:
'Reflections on the so-called appointment of Ali Modu Sherrif as PDP Interim National Chair!
1. The appointment vindicates Ken Nnamani who has publicly said that current leaders of PDP are imbeciles!
2. The appointment shows that PDP has lost its soul, to put a man like Sherrif into an office once occupied by Ekwueme!
3. It shows that those who selected him have no clue about the mood of the public. PDP won't survive this.
4. It affirms that there is no intention to remould or rebuild the PDP as a party that can carry forward the democratic yearnings of many.
5. The so called leaders do not understand the enormity of their deed because they have finally slaughtered the party that they took no part in its formation.
6. In Northeast the PDP has largely no grasp yet they appoint a man who is derided and a persona non grata in the south east and south south where PDP still has hold!
By way of background, I know Modu personally and he himself killed the then APP, he also worked to slaughter the ANPP and now you hire him to finish PDP! I was National Assistant Secretary of ANPP, so I know!
Sherrif was the greatest traitor within the ranks of ANPP. It was his treachery that caused many of us to move and found the DPP and I was the Director of Administration of that party at inception and a signatory to its constitution! I repeat, I know the man and he is nothing but an undertaker!
No way will those of us who know his antecedents accept him. I cannot and will not be in a part that he is Chairman of. And I speak for many like minded people!
Reject him or the PDP becomes rotten history!
NA ME TALK AM and I dey vex, baad! Nonsense.'
*Prince Thomas Abi Jr:
'I received the news that my party the Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP, has appointed Senator Ali Modu Sherrif as the new National Chairman with great displeasure and disappointment.
This is a man who was accused of sponsoring Boko Haram. Here is a man who is being quizzed by the EFCC for misappropriation of over N300 billion.
Where is our morality? Why appoint a man who is believed to be an extremist as National Chairman of a party that needs rebranding. A party that is in dire need of credible men/women that will repackage the party and sell the party in good light.
Honestly, I feel pained that a man like Senator Ali Modu Sherrif is the Chairman of the PDP. The PDP needs men of integrity, persons who are charismatic and ideological. People of content and character. The party needs strategists. Think tanks who are very savvy in terms of governance and leadership style.
With the new Chairman of the PDP, I am forced to say I am disappointed. I expected to see a man who is grass rooted. I expected to see a rooted member taking over the leadership of the party and not Ali Modu Sherrif.
Let me use this medium to call on the leadership of the party to have a rethink of the choice of the National Chairman. We need credible people and not Senator Ali Modu Sherrif.'
*Ogon Abang:
'PDP NEC Appoints Ali Modu Sheriff as national chairman, good development, they should just appoint Otedeola as financial secretary, Tompolo as youth leader, Patricia Etteh as Women leader, Faruk as Security adviser, Shekau as vice chairman north'.
*Kennedy Nsan:
'Ali Modu Sherif as PDP National Chairman?!
Do these guys think at all?
What is the strategic thinking behind this appointment?
SMH…No wonder Sen Ken Nnamani, Sen Ndoma-Egba, Sen Prince Otu, etc left that sinking ship!'
We have it on good records, that his candidature is tipped to be rejected by the Board of Trustees, BoT of the PDP as well as the National Executive Council, NEC. Nigerians are keeping their fingers crossed to see how event unfold. Main while, Chairman Sheriff was reportedly saying in Abia State, in a public function that he is poised to kicking out President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroid Haven
