Sheriff:

The National Chairman the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has promised that 30 per cent elective position in the party would be reserved for women.

Sheriff made the promise on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing a delegation from Imo State chapter of the party, led by Sen. Hope Uzodima.

He noted that reserving 30 per cent elective position to women was important because of the significant role they play and their contributions to the party.

He reiterated his commitment to conduct credible national convention for the party as soon as possible.

Sheriff, who resumed duty at Wadata Plaza on Tuesday, also promised that he would not impose any candidate on any elective office or position, at any level.

He said that the people at the grassroots would determine the candidates that would be elected into an office, saying that only the grassroots would help the PDP reclaim power in 2019.

‎Sheriff, who expressed optimism that PDP would win Imo gubernatorial election, said that whoever would emerge as the party’s standard bearer must come through the people and not from the back-door.

“I cannot go to the state and impose candidates against the will of the people.‎

“If Imo people decide that this person should be their governor, so be it,” he added.

‎Speaking earlier, Sen. Uzodima declared that Imo chapter of the party support Sheriff.

‎“The 305 electoral wards in Imo are fully represented here.

“We will do everything to ensure that PDP grows from strength to strength.

“We cannot compromise what is meant for us,” Uzodima said.

The state chairman of the PDP, Mr Nnamdi Anyaehie, expressed confidence that the crisis rocking the party at the national level would soon be resolved to the satisfaction of all aggrieved members.

He said that after the Appeal Court judgment in Port-Harcourt, stakeholders of the party in Imo decided to visit and reassure Sheriff of their continued support for his leadership.

Prof. Walter Ofonagoro, a chieftain of the party in Imo and former Minister of Information and Culture, said that PDP members in Imo respect rule of law.

“That is they we came to show their support for the national chairman,’’ he said.

Ofonagoro, who stated that several members of the party had defected to other political parties because of crisis rocking the party, urged Sheriff to reunite aggrieved members. (NAN)