ALARMED by the continued refusal of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to accept his ouster by the national convention of the party, immediate past National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has appealed to Sheriff to submit to party supremacy.

In a statement made available to the media in Abuja on Saturday, Secondus said Sheriff must accept the decision of the party to allow the PDP to prepare to provide an alternative to government.

He said he was shocked that the former National Chairman could still be laying claim to be position despite a validly convened national convention, which set up a national caretaker committee May 21, 2016.

Contrary to the claims by Sheriff, Secondus said its National Working Committee (NWC), which was led by Sheriff was validly dissolved by the national convention.

He explained: "It has become expedient that I reaffirm the position of the majority of the members of the National Working Committee of our party supporting the decision taken at the National Convention of the party held on May 21, 2016 in Port Harcourt, River State, especially as it concerns the dissolution of the National Working Committee.

"May I reiterate that the constitution of our party is very clear on the processes that lead to the convening of a National Convention and the powers and functions of that convention.

"The National Executive Committee convenes a National Convention and the National Chairman presides and in his absence (For whatever reason), the Deputy National Chairman presides. There is a precedent to this during the 2011 National Convention of our party where the Deputy Chairman presided over the convention.

"The constitution of our party does not stipulate that the National Chairman must instruct the Deputy National chairman to preside at the convention before the Deputy National Chairman can do so.

"The decisions taken at the 2016 convention did not contravene any court order; rather, it applied the spirit and the letter of the constitution to resolve a contentious situation regarding tenure of officers in the party.

"Yes, the National Convention as the Supreme Organ of the party can take far reaching decisions including dissolving the party itself.

Secondus noted: "At a time like this that the nation is in dire need of an alternative leadership, every patriotic PDP member should support every legitimate initiative that would put our party in good stead as a credible alternative for Nigerians.

"This is the expectation of Nigerians and it is for the realisation of this national interest that we fully supported the decision of the National Convention.

"At a time like this, when the country seems to be disunited, our party should be united to provide alternative leadership for the people of Nigeria.

"That is the path of honour. That is the only path that can bring genuine reconciliation and save the party."

The former PDP National Deputy Chairman therefore urged Sheriff and all other officers "whose personal interests maybe hurt by this inevitable outcome, to accept it in good faith in the larger interest of the party. Let us all sacrifice for the PDP."

He expressed his belief that in the final analysis, reason will prevail and all stakeholders including the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Judiciary will resolve this matter "on the side of truth, and constitutionality to ensure that the obvious wishes of the majority of PDP members prevails."

Secondus further declared: "I don't want to believe the rumour of show of desperation by the former Chairman. I don't want to believe it.

"Honestly speaking, the convention is the highest structure of the party and its decision is final.

"Therefore, I call on the former chairman to do the most honourable thing and submit to the authority of the convention and work with the rest of the stakeholders to move our party forward.

"The insinuation in some quarters that the former chairman is being used as mercenary of APC government should be proved wrong because I know that the former Chairman is an experienced politician with integrity.

"Like the former chairman has acknowledged at different fora, the party is supreme to the personal interest of every member."