The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is under pressure to impose sanctions on the former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and his followers, Punch reports.

According to the newspaper, some groups have started submitting petitions to that effect.

Some members of the party believed that Sheriff and members of his group, which included a former National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo; Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; and the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bernard Mikko, should be punished for the crisis that befell the party.

In a petition by the PDP Reform Group, co-conveners Ariyo-Dare Atoye and Sefinatu Umaru said the amnesty extended to Sheriff and his followers was unnecessary.

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The statement added, “The PDP may soon be squandering the big reprieve it secured from the profound judgment of the Supreme Court by declaring a ‘no-victor, no-vanquished’, and dangling an unnecessary amnesty without sanctioning Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his fake National Working Committee acolytes, to serve as a deterrent at the national level and as an example to state chapters.

“Big danger and impunity however await the party if Sheriff is not punished as this may create a signal for disgruntled elements to undermine the party without remorse.

“We make bold to say that organisational discipline relies on the power of sanction and any human institution that jettisons sanction and rewards impunity will become worthless over time.

“The irreducible minimum Nigerians are expecting from the PDP to be taken seriously again, as a party that has learnt some lessons from its 14 months avoidable ordeal, is to bring Sheriff and his fellow accomplices to book.”

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They argued that the actions of Sheriff and his group cost the party the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

The petition read, “His actions affected the performance of the party in the Edo governorship election; it caused our defeat in Ondo State, and wickedly sabotaged the party in Benue State.

“The fake NWC of Sheriff took a gamble in Osun for a different reason, but the local chapter worked harmoniously, together for the victory. We will never forget.

“Victory for democracy should not be a windy slogan at this point in time. The party must implement the recommendations that the numerous committees have proposed and entrench discipline, bring order and vigorously pursue strict adherence to the party’s constitution, which was our saving grace at the Supreme Court, as we plan for a rebuilding convention.”