Anxiety has hit the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the submission of an application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a party named Advanced Peoples Democratic Party.
The commission yesterday confirmed receipt of the application believed to have come from supporters of Senator Ahmed Makarfi,Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP.
The Sheriff camp is kicking against the formation of the new party which it perceives as a threat.
Some PDP members loyal to the Ahmed Makarfi camp had wondered whether it might not be better for them to abandon the party for Sheriff and his supporters in the aftermath of the recent verdict of the Court of Appeal recognising Sheriff as the rightful chairman of the party.
The court also sacked the Caretaker Committee headed by Makarfi.