[Channels] The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has called for the arrest of factional leader, Ali Modu Sheriff for contempt of court.

Spokesperson for the committee, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, told journalists on Friday in Abuja that the issuance of a certificate of return to a parallel candidate by the Sheriff group was illegal.

He noted that the judgements of the court must be obeyed as both groups work to resolve the impasse in the party.

In a swift reaction, the factional Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Mr Kairo Ojugbo, faulted the Makarfi faction’s claim, saying that their leader has not committed contempt of court.

Mr Ojugbo insisted that Senator Sheriff remains the National Chairman of the PDP.

The leadership crisis in the party took a new dimension when the Ali Modu Sheriff faction issued a certificate of return to a parallel PDP candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

The issuance of the certificate was sequel to the ruling by Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court that the PDP national convention held on May 21 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital was legal and did not go contrary to any law.

However, Mr Sheriff went ahead to present a certificate of return to Mr Matthew Aighuhuenze as the PDP flag bearer in the Edo State governorship election.

There are two elections in Edo and Ondo states where the PDP is expected to participate in the next few months.