I CAN'T BE FRUSTRATED OUT OF PDP- MARKAFI

Chairman of the controversial
Caretaker Committee of the Peoples
Democratic Party, Ahmed Makarfi, has
vowed to resist any attempt to
frustrate him out of the party.
He also said that the Supreme Court
verdict on the party’ s crisis will
determine the next line of action for
him and other leaders of the party.
A peace meeting convened by former
President Goodluck Jonathan ended in
disarray as the party’s national
chairman , Ali Modu Sheriff, reportedly
walked out of the meeting.
The former Kaduna governor ,
however, said he will make himself
available if Jonathan convenes another
peace meeting to resolve the party’s
lingering crisis .
Speaking in an interview with our
correspondent on Saturday , Makarfi
said it was unfortunate that the peace
meeting did not achieve its aim ,
adding that he attended the meeting
with an open mind .
He said , “ Whatever decision taken at
the Supreme Court is final , whether it
pleases me or it does not . After that,
everybody would come to a decision as
to what to do next. I will not leave the
PDP. I am not thinking of that at this
moment . Defection does not arise at
this moment . ”
Asked to comment on Sheriff ’s attitude
at the meeting, Makarfi said , “ I was
invited like any other person. I didn’ t
arrange the meeting. I won ’t say
anything about his walking out on
former President Jonathan.
“ The matter is between Sheriff and the
convener. Saying anything would
undermine the objective of former
President Jonathan and those who
convened the meeting. ”
He added , “ I respectfully honoured the
invitation with an open mind . I didn’ t
even nominate anybody for that
meeting. The caretaker committee was
invited just like others . Being a party
to the issue, I don ’t think I should
begin to criticise or make any
assessment now .
“ For me, if I am invited to any of such
meeting intended to resolve the crisis
again , I will make myself available
and see what happens but that does
not take away the matter before the
court.
“ I believe what former President
Jonathan was doing is without
prejudice to the case before the
Supreme Court . Ultimately , in politics ,
people will decide what to do . You
cannot force people into any particular
thing. Like I said , I have an open
mind .”