The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, in a split decision, had affirmed a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, as the authentic national chairman of the party. Two out of the three judges of the court ruled that Sheriff was the legitimate chairman of the PDP while the third judge recognised a former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic chairman of the party. The legal battle over the soul of the PDP between Makarfi and Sheriff has gone through various courts in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, with a negative multiplier effect on stability of the party. The crisis is also raging in many states where the two leaders share the loyalty of members.]]>