The chairmanship tussle in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) came to an end on Wednesday as the Supreme Court declared former Kaduna governor, Ahmed Makarfi as the party’s authentic chairman.
The battle for the party’s numero position has been a long fought one between Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff. Between several supposed meetings and court rulings, many pitched their tents on different sides as they awaited the ruling of the apex court.
We bring you the winners and losers from the chairmanship crisis:
WINNERS
Ahmed Makarfi: The Kaduna Senator has fought a long battle to claim the seat as the party’s chairman before it became factionalised. Makarfi has always insisted that he was the bonafide chairman of the party, and has just been given the right to parade himself as the chairman by the Supreme Court.
Ayodele Fayose: The Ekiti governor though one of those who made Sheriff the chairman of the party, backtracked and became a foremost enemy of the former Borno governor. Fayose, on any given occasion he had the opportunity to speak on the party’s crisis labelled Sheriff as a mole and an agent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Makarfi’s victory today will help solidify Fayose’s claim and hold on the PDP. This will also help his chances come 2019 in the party’s primaries.
Nyesom Wike: Just like Fayose, his Rivers counterpart, Wike was once pro-Sheriff. He will be glad that Sheriff who they both termed as “evil” is gone from the helm of affairs of the party.
LOSERS:
Ali Modu Sheriff: The sacked chairman and former Borno governor Ali Modu Sheriff is the biggest loser. Sheriff who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) became sort of a cog in the wheel of PDP’s progress. Now, Sheriff will have to lick his wounds or either restrategise to revive his dying career.
All Progressives Congress: The victory of Makarfi will once again bring a sense of opposition, something the APC will not be comfortable with. Many members of the party were in a celebratory mood when the PDP crisis was brewing, a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, once said the “PDP scored an own goal” in making Sheriff chairman.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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