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Tag: makarfi

  • EFCC denies finding $42m in Makarfi’ farm

    EFCC denies finding $42m in Makarfi’ farm

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied social media reports that it recovered $42m from the farm of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

    The EFCC said this in a statement by its Spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday.

    According to social media reports, the EFCC had recovered the $42m from Makarfi two hours after he was declared the authentic chairman of the party’s caretaker committee by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

    The report read in part, “$42m was found in Senator Makarfi’s farm by the EFCC less than two hours after the Supreme Court judgment.”

    However, the EFCC urged members of the public to ignore the message, adding that there was no truth in it.

    The statement read in part, “The EFCC hereby warns the general public to be wary of the activities of those who have been misleading Nigerians with false information about the activities of the commission.

    “While many unsuspecting Nigerians shared the unfounded post, others simply copied and reposted as the original, which generated a myriad of reactions, suggesting that the commission was a tool in the hands of the executive to further destabilise the PDP.

    “We have considered it necessary to set the records straight and to advise social media activists to be wary of those who are out to sow a seed of discord among Nigerians as there is no EFCC investigation on Senator Makarfi.”

  • PDP S’Court Judgement: Sheriff disowns social media account, says ‘I did not congratulate Makarfi’

    …Says party now in the hands of looters

    Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has disowned a social media account on Twitter where he purportedly congratulated Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic party chairman following the Supreme Court judgement on Wednesday.

    Sheriff also noted that that the party has now been handed over to those he described as treasury looters.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Supreme Court on Wednesday sacked Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff who had hitherto held sway as the party’s chairman. The court reinstated Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic and recognised chairman.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that as part of efforts to start a national reconciliation process to bring aggrieved members of the party who had either defected to other parties or distanced themselves from the former ruling party, the spokesperson for the Makarfi-led committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, had on Thursday said it was offering Sheriff and his group “amnesty”, adding that nobody would be punished for the loss which the party had suffered since the beginning of the crisis. He, however, warned that the party would not condone further negative actions by Sheriff and his group.

    But Sheriff, who spoke through the spokesperson for the National Working Committee sacked by the Supreme Court, Mr. Bernard Mikko, said it was wrong for the Makarfi-led caretaker committee to have said the PDP would grant him and members of his former executive committee “amnesty”.

    Others in Sheriff’s camp include the party’s former National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo; Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, and some members of the National Assembly.

    The Sheriff-led faction also had the support of some state chapters of the party and some governors.

    Mikko, in a message sent to our correspondent, described Adeyeye’s statement as reckless, saying that “amnesty” ought to be given to those who had committed offence against the party.

    He said that Sheriff and his group did not occupy the national secretariat of the party illegally, adding that the party belonged to all.

    He said, “I take exception to the reckless statement credited to Prince Dayo Adeyeye, suggesting that amnesty has been granted to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, his National Working Committee and supporters. Amnesty is a reprieve for those who have committed offence under our statute.”

    According to Mikko, Sheriff and his camp were forced to vacate the party’s national secretariat by the police.

    He said, “However, the office was officially reopened for us after we presented the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, to the Inspector- General of Police.

    “I am, therefore, concerned about the future of our party in the hands of some of those who are known to have pending criminal cases, bordering (on) fraud, treasury looting and dishonesty, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    “The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the highest court in our land and we await the copy of the full judgment delivered on July 12, 2017.

    “No one owns the party and those making unguarded and reckless statements in the public domain should realise that the solution to the problem of Nigeria is beyond any political association. Unacceptable and unjustifiable means cannot lead to a justifiable and acceptable end.”

    On the alleged congratulatory message to Makarfi and his group, Mikko described “the alleged congratulatory message credited to an imaginary Twitter handle of Sheriff” as a fraud.

    He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Sheriff does not have or own a Twitter account and could not have tweeted any message.

    “We, therefore, view the said message as fake and mischievous and should be regarded as that of evil doers.

    “We further warn all mischief-makers to desist from trying to exploit the huge political capital of Senator Sheriff for selfish gains.”

    In its reaction, the Makarfi-led committee said it would no longer allow Sheriff and his group to distract it, adding that it would henceforth devote its time to building the party.

    It also said its time would be spent constructively criticising the APC-led Federal Government.

    Adeyeye also said the PDP no longer had factions.

    He said, “I will no longer engage them. Supreme Court is the final arbiter and it has pronounced that there is no faction in the PDP.

    “We have done the right thing by offering our hands of fellowship to them. We won’t engage them any longer because we are now one.”

  • PDP grants amnesty to Sheriff, others

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would grant “amnesty” to members who participated in the crisis that slowed down the party.

    The Chairman of National Caretaker Committee of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, stated this in an interview with reporters in Abuja on yesterday.

    Makarfi was reacting to to a question on whether the party would sanction the sacked National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his followers.

    He said there was no need to punish them, as the party is focused on getting back on its feet.

    Speaking through the spokesperson for the caretaker committee, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, Makarfi called on those with pending cases against the party at state levels, to withdraw them.

    He stated, “No, we won’t punish anyone for what had happened in the past. Our doors are open for everyone, including those who are not members of the PDP.

    “It is general amnesty for all. It is when you begin to commit fresh sins or causing fresh troubles that we will then look at it.

    “We want to appeal to everybody, those who have cases in courts, to withdraw them in the interest of the party. You can see that everybody is happy because of the outcome of the case.”

    In his reaction, Sheriff said he was not sure that Makarfi could be calling for amnesty for him and his group.

    Sheriff said, “He said that he was going to grant us amnesty? Are we criminals? No, he couldn’t have said that.

    “Let’s wait and see. If he said that, then you would hear from me tomorrow. We are not criminals and how can someone be talking of amnesty?”

  • PDP agrees it failed Nigerians, hopes to reclaim power in 2019

    PDP agrees it failed Nigerians, hopes to reclaim power in 2019

    Acknowledging it failed Nigerians in the past, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said the party is ready to seek forgiveness and move forward while laying emphasis that PDP will regain power in the country in 2019.

    “The enemies are shivering already. Today is a turning point of things in Nigeria. We are moving forward. Where we have erred, we must tell Nigerians that we erred and seek their forgiveness. This is a collective victory.’’ Makarfi said.

    Makarfi stated this at a meeting he had with members of the party’s Senate caucus shortly after the Supreme Court verdict which affirmed his leadership of the party.

    The meeting was held at the private residence of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in Abuja.

    Fayose is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

    Makarfi said the party would not repeat the mistakes of the past, adding that history must not be allowed to repeat itself.

    He urged the leadership of the party to work together and also ensure that nobody “is allowed to hold the party to ransom again.”

    He said the All Progressives Congress made a blunder in Osun State, adding that this was the reason why the ruling party in the state lost the Osun-West senatorial election to the PDP.

    He said, “Work, we must work together. We must also learn to accommodate. But that should not be to the detriment of the people who fought for the party.

    “Just as we take Osun West, we will take Nigeria in style by 2019.

    “We would be coming with a programme that would be realistic and will not be against any constitution of the party, electoral act or any law whatsoever.

    Makarfi told the senators and others present at the meeting that the party’s leadership would meet on Tuesday with the party’s Board of Trustees.

    He said it was after the meeting that decisions would be taken on when the party would have its National Executive Committee meeting.

    The former governor of Kaduna State added, “All the caucuses are meeting soon, I think on Tuesday or so. We must be tactical, we must be careful and we must know that the enemies are also watching.

    “The enemies are shivering already. Today is a turning point of things in Nigeria. We are moving forward. Where we have erred, we must tell Nigerians that we erred and seek their forgiveness. This is a collective victory.’’

    Fayose, however, said, “The wall of Jericho has fallen. We must come together to get power in 2019.”

    He declared that the Supreme Court judgment had placed the party on good stead to return to power in 2019.

    He assured the Makarfi-led leadership of the full cooperation of the governors, adding that, “where we need to speak we will speak, where we need to spend money, we will spend”.

     

  • Supreme Court Judgement: We’ll reconcile with Sheriff, other aggrieved members – Makarfi

    Supreme Court Judgement: We’ll reconcile with Sheriff, other aggrieved members – Makarfi

    Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, People Democratic Party (PDP), said the committee was opened to reconciliation that would strengthen the party.

    Makarfi gave the assurance while addressing members and supporters of the party after the Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership crisis delivered in favour of the committee on Wednesday.

    He described the judgment as “no victor, no vanquished’’ and said, “we must be open to reconciliation, but there’s a caveat.

    “Reconciliation does not mean we take what belongs to people and give it to you. It must be based on equity, equality and values.

    “With this caveat, we should be prepared and willing to reconcile with everybody.

    “Anybody that can meet these criteria, we should be willing and open to reconciliation with such a person, no matter who they are.”

    He urged Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and his group to join hand with him to move the PDP forward.

    Makarfi also called on members of the party not to discriminate among members who belonged to different factions before the court’s judgment.

    “We should continue as friends, knowing that there are things we can do together; there may be things we may not be able to do together.

    “We are willing to do everything on the foundation that I had mentioned.

    “I urge them to come forward, join hands with us and let’s see how we can move PDP forward,’’ he said.

    Makarfi commended PDP members and the judiciary for the fair judgement, saying PDP never lost faith in the judiciary.

    “This victory is not just for PDP, it’s for democracy. This affirms the powers of political parties, the powers of the convention of all political parties.

    “The battle we fought was not a battle for PDP alone. It was a battle for democracy; it was a battle for supremacy of party men and women to decide their destiny.

    “It is a battle to do away with dictatorship in political parties and this will never repeat itself,” he said.

    He promised that the committee within the next few days would begin consultation and come up with a programme of meetings between it and expanded PDP caucus.

    “These meetings will include Expanded Caucus, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee so that we can take far-reaching decisions on how to take the party forward.”

    On his part, Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, said that the court verdict had placed PDP on good stand to return to power in 2019.

    Fayose said that PDP would make maximum use of the judgment to reposition the party, adding that the forum would not fight Sheriff and his loyalists.

    “We will not fight them. We should just come back together so that we can celebrate 2019 together.”

    He assured the Makarfi-led leadership of corporation of the governors, saying “where we need to speak we will speak, where we need to spend money we will spend.”

    Also speaking, the Deputy President of Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, described the judgment as a collective victory for the entire party faithful and the nation’s democracy.

    “I am happy that the Supreme Court has brought this protracted leadership tussle to an end today.

    “There is no victor and there is no vanquished, but a collective victory for our party and the nation’s democracy.

    “No democracy can prosper in the absence of a virile opposition or under the extreme hardship Nigerians have faced over the past two years. Citizens deserve a viable alternative,” Ekweremadu said.

    He called on PDP leadership and elders to immediately initiate an all-inclusive peace, reconciliation and rebuilding process in the party.

    The lawmaker said that it was important to reunite everybody under the “big umbrella and reinvigorate the biggest party in Africa to bounce back to the rescue of the suffering masses of Nigeria, come 2019”.

     

    NAN

  • [Video] Fayose, Wike, Ekweremadu, others celebrate as S/Court affirms Makarfi as PDP chair

    Some of the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, especially those who are loyal to Senator Ahmed Makarfi are presently jubilating over the Wednesday Supreme Court ‎ruling which affirmed the former Kaduna state governor as the authentic chairman of the party.

    Notable among the PDP big wigs who have reacted to the apex court’s verdict were governors of Ekiti and Rivers states, Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike,‎ a former Vice-Chairman of the party (South West), Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Prof. Jerry Gana; a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Emeka Ihedioha among others.

    We must move ahead reposition PDP ahead of 2019 – Wike

    “Today’s ruling brings back PDP as a strong opposition to challenge All Progressives Congress, APC which has not been performing to the need of Nigerians, and for those of us who have lost, all I can say is we must move ahead to reposition APC, I am thanking God that we are today vindicated.”

    Attempt to silence opposition has come to an end today – Fayose

    “This verdict represents justice, it represents hope and future for Nigeria, and the attempt to silence opposition has come to an end today By the grace of God, PDP is set for victory in 2019” says Gov. Fayose

    PDP CRISIS-Wike ,Fayose. Celebrates Makarfi’s victory #TheNewsGuru #TNG

    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung) on


    Collective victory for our party and the nation’s democracy –Ekweremadu

    Ekweremadu said it was a no victor and no vanquished situation for individual party members, but rather a collective victory for the entire party faithful and the nation’s democracy.

    He said, “I am happy that the Supreme Court has brought this protracted leadership tussle to an end today. There is no victor and there is no vanquished, but a collective victory for our party and the nation’s democracy. No democracy can prosper in the absence of a virile opposition or under the extreme hardship Nigerians have faced over the past two years. Citizens deserve a viable alternative.

    “The ruling party has indeed profited from the prolonged power contest, not just in terms of defections, but also in the unchallenged degeneration of democratic values, rule of law, electoral practice, and the economy because the PDP has been too distracted to keep them on their toes.

    Our party leaders should initiate peace, reconciliation, and rebuilding process – Ihedioha

    “Importantly, I call on our party leaders and elders to immediately initiate an all-inclusive peace, reconciliation, and rebuilding process to reunite everybody under the big umbrella and reinvigorate the biggest party in Africa to bounce back to the rescue of the suffering masses of Nigeria come 2019.”

    “This is a victory for & triumph of Democracy. It is a celebration of the enthronement of light over forces of Darkness. Long live Nigeria.” – Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

    PDP crisis: No victor, no vanquished, our nightmare over – Ben Bruce

    “We are happy this nightmare is over. There is no victor no vanquished. This is also, not a time to gloat. I call on all sides to stretch out a hand of brotherhood to rebuild our great party. Peace is better than war and unity, better than division.

    This judgment is indeed a victory for democracy and together, the PDP can return to being a formidable alternative to the ruling government,” – Senator Ben Murray-Bruce

     

     

  • BREAKING: Wild jubilation as Supreme Court declares Makarfi as authentic PDP Chairman

    BREAKING: Wild jubilation as Supreme Court declares Makarfi as authentic PDP Chairman

    Supporters of the PDP in Abuja and across the nation have erupted in jubilation as the 5 man panel of Supreme Court justices declared Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    ‎The ruling was decided by a five-man panel of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in the appeal which was filed by the Makarfi faction.

    As if they had an inkling of the judgment possibly favouring their faction, some of the party’s big wigs throng the court, but mostly those loyal to the Makarfi faction.

    Among those on the Makarfi’s side, who were already seated at the Supreme Court, when the ruling was given, included Governors of Ekiti and Rivers states, Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike,‎ a former Vice-Chairman of the party (South West), Chief Bode George, and the present occupant of the position in the faction, Chief Eddy Olafeso.

    Also in court was a former National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a former Governor of Kano State and former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau,

    Others include, Ben Obi, founder of African Independent Television, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and Tom Ikimi.

    As the news of the ruling was announced, the entire body of supporters of Alhaji Makarfi were besides themselves as the erupted into a spontaneous jubilation.

    Reports from across the country indicate that in all the states where the PDP has strong following, there is an on going jubilation by members of the party.

  • PDP crisis: Panic in Makarfi, Sheriff’s camps as S’Court delivers judgement today

    There is palpable tension in the camps of the two faction (Makarfi and Sheriff) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as they await the judgement of the Supreme Court over its lingering leadership crisis today (Wednesday) in Abuja.

    While the camp of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, said it was expecting the apex court to deliver what it called justice, the camp of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said it would not speak on what might be the outcome of the case.

    Rather, it said it would wait for the judgment to be delivered before making its position known.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the apex court’s five-man bench, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, had, on Monday, May 23, adjourned for judgment after the adoption of addresses by both parties.

    Justice Onnoghen, who reserved judgment after the hearing, is leading the five-man panel hearing the case.

    Other justices on the panel are Justices Tanko Muhammad, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Kayode Ariwoola and Dattijo Muhammad.

    The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Bernard Mikko, who spoke on behalf of Sheriff, told our correspondent that the crisis rocking the party would be expected to come to an end after the judgment.

    Mikko stated, “We are all eagerly waiting for the outcome of the case. We have been informed and told that the judgment will be delivered on Wednesday (today).

    “We are expecting judgment and we are expecting justice to be done.

    “It is good that the judgment will come early and allow the party to sit up and begin to work together as a true opposition political party ahead of 2019.

    “It is also noteworthy that the majority of the combatants, including the likes of Governors Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike of Ekiti and Rivers states respectively, have said they will not leave the party no matter the outcome of the case.

    “In our own case, we remain members of the party irrespective of the outcome of the case. Whichever way it goes, it (the judgment) will strength our party and democracy.”

    Spokesperson for the Makarfi’s caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye, said he would not make any comment on the expected judgment.

    “I’m not going to speak on the expected judgment until after it must have been delivered,” he said.

    However, it was gathered that the party’s former ministers had asked members of the party to attend the court sitting in Abuja today.

    The former ministers, in a text message to some of the members of the party, which was leaked to the media, said, “Finally, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has today officially notified our great party, the PDP, of the date to deliver judgment on the suit PDP vs. Sheriff and four others.

    “Our teeming supporters and members, who are willing to attend, are hereby encouraged to do so in solidarity with the PDP. God bless the PDP! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Makarfi faction, which has the support of the majority of the stakeholders and caucuses of the party, won the first case at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Sheriff and his team, who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the judgment, approached the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt for a review of the High Court judgment.

    The former governor of Borno State won at the appeal court, but Makarfi and his team challenged the judgment at the apex court.

    The Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday (today) will however put an end to the lingering leadership crisis that has rocked the party since 2015 when it lost control of the central government.

  • Osun West poll: PDP’s victory an evidence of unity – Makarfi

    Osun West poll: PDP’s victory an evidence of unity – Makarfi

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker committee, Ahmed Makarfi has said the victory of the party at the Osun senatorial poll was an indication that PDP was still the “party to beat in every election.”

    In a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the Makarfi group, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party said it was confident Adeleke would deliver his promises.

    The statement said: “The people have spoken with one voice and we know that Ademola Adeleke will deliver on his promises to the people.

    “The successful outcome of this election is an evidence of hard work, dedication and the unity of all members of the PDP in Osun State who buried temporary differences in the overall interest of the party and the good people of Osun State.

    “We are confident that without the interference of the APC in the current leadership issues in our party, the PDP remains the party to beat in all elections in Nigeria.

    “Even as we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we urge our members to unite in the interest of Nigerians to rid the country of the horrible APC government.

    “Finally, we congratulate the people of Osun West for coming out en mass to vote for our candidate and for their peaceful conduct during the election. We also congratulate our members in Osun State for this important victory.”

  • PDP crisis: Supreme Court to announce judgment date

    The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its judgment on the appeal concerning the protracted Peoples Democratic Party leadership tussle between the National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff, and the sacked National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Ahmed Makarfi.

    An apex court’s five-man bench, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday, adjourned for judgment on a date to be announced later.

    Justice Onnoghen announced the adjournment after the warring leadership factions of the party adopted their court processes and made brief oral arguments on Monday.

    The appeal, heard by the apex court was filed by the sacked caretaker committee of the party led by Makarfi.

    A number of the party’s bigwigs, loyal to both factions, also attended the Monday’s proceedings.

    Both Sheriff and Makarfi attended the proceedings.

    Among those on Makarfi’s side, who were in court, were a former Vice-Chairman of the party (South-West), Chief Bode George; the present occupant of the position in the faction, Chief Eddy Olafeso; a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; the Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee, Dayo Adeyeye; and Chief Tom Ikimi.

    The Makarfi faction filed the appeal on February 27, 2017 against the February 17, 2017 judgment of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal which sacked the caretaker committee and affirmed Sheriff as the national chairman of the PDP.

    But Sheriff and the National Secretary, Oladipo, both of whom were recognised by the Court of Appeal’s judgment, want the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal.

    The Sheriff faction also filed a separate application in the name of the PDP, claiming that having regard to the Court of Appeal’s judgment, which recognised them as the valid leaders of the party, the Makarfi committee lacked the authority to file the appeal in the name of the party.

    After preliminary issues were addressed during the Monday’s proceedings, counsel representing the PDP on behalf of the Sheriff faction, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was asked to move his application, seeking the dismissal of the appeal.

    In his argument, Fagbemi maintained that the judgment of the Court of Appeal, having not been set aside, Sheriff and members of the executive committee remained the alter ego of the party.

    Fagbemi urged the apex court to strike out the appeal filed by the Makarfi committee in the name of the party without authorisation, same having been withdrawn by the Sheriff-led executive committee, which the lawyer argued, had the authority to do so.

    He said, “In urging your Lordships to grant the application, I will say that the point here is not about the locus of counsel but about the competence of the appeal; whether it was filed with authority or not and whether or not the party, in whose name the appeal was filed, has a right to withdraw the appeal.

    “If the party, through its directing minds, led by Ali Modu Sheriff, and backed by the constitution of the party and the judgment of the Court of Appeal, has withdrawn the appeal, there is evidence that they exercised their rights and their powers rightly.

    “Whoever is interested in the appeal, can only come as an interested party and not to file an appeal in the name of the party.”

    But the Makarfi committee’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who made submissions after Fagbemi, urged the apex court to grant his client’s appeal, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and also dismiss the application seeking the striking out of the appeal.

    He said, “I urge your lordships not only to dismiss this application but to do so with heavy cost.

    “Apart from Rule 29 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 27(1) and (4) of the rules also demonstrate that the application is incompetent and the Supreme Court does not even have the vires to countenance it.”

    He stated that Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), who represented Sheriff and Oladipo against the PDP at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, and who still represented the same clients at the Supreme Court, could not decide who should represent the PDP at the apex court.

    Olanipekun said, “Are they saying they were respondents to a non-competent respondent (the PDP) at the lower court?”

    In response, Sheriff and Oladipo’s lawyer, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), supported Fagbemi’s application, adding that he had, in his preliminary objection, raised a similar issue of lack of authority on the part of the Makarfi committee to file the appeal.

    Olujinmi added, “The issue is very narrow and your lordships will have to consider whether the appeal is filed in the name of the PDP without authority is competent.

    “Apart from lack of authority to file the appeal, there are no grounds to sustain the appeal.

    “I urge your lordships to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit and for being incompetent.”

    Earlier on Monday, the apex court dismissed the objection by Sheriff’s lawyer to the motion by the Makarfi committee, seeking leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and file.