FACTIONAL National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, Tuesday said he never bargained to lead the party, reiterating that he was begged to serve based on his pedigree.
Speaking during a South South town hall meeting of the party held at Agbor, said he agreed to serve after much persuasion by some PDP Governors, Senators and other leaders of the party.
Saying that he was out to reposition the PDP, Sheriff said he was out to return the party grassroots, which he described as the original owners.
He held that the era of impunity was over.
He said the Port Harcourt National convention was put off due to court order, adding that caretaker committee which was set up after the convention was aborted, was allien to the constitution of the party.
Sherriff who addressed a mammoth crowd of the party delegates at the town hall meeting, said he has the mandate of the people to lead the party.
He said he was not the kind of person that could be pushed around by those who think they own the party.
Expressing hope that the PDP would form national government in 2019, he held that the people would be made to pick those that would fly the party’s flag at general elections.
Sheriff decried that the PDP had 29 Governors at a time but now has 16 Governors due to impunity, insisting that he would preside over national convention of the party whenever it is held.
In his remarks, factional Delta state chairman of the party , Chief Austin Ogbaburhon said the hosting of the town hall meeting in the state would raise the hope of members of the party in the state.
Ogbaburhon pledged the loyalty of the party in the state, adding that they were resolute in their support for the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
Mrs Marian Ali, wife of former national chairman of the party, Ahmadu Ali who also spoke at the meeting, said the gathering was the celebration of love, adding that Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff has displayed great love for the party.
Ali who is a member of the party’s Board of Trustee, BoT, held that nothing would make them go back on their support for Ali Modu Sheriff.
Meanwhile, the meeting which was earlier scheduled to hold at a popular hotel in Asaba, was later moved to Agbor after some security agents sealed up the venue.
The meeting was attended by Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Deputy National chairman of the party and host, E.J. Agbonayima, member, House of Representatives from Edo; PDP guber candidate in last Edo election, Mr Mathew Uduoriyekemwen among others.
