National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dismissed claims that the crisis rocking the South-west chapter of the party leading to the setting up of 17-member caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party in the zone was an act of vindictiveness targeted at former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Sam Sam Jaja said contrary to such claims, the party was only obeying a court order charging the committee members to reconcile party members and also ensure that the party takes its place in the South-west.

"The inauguration is in obedience of the court order. The caretaker committee is inaugurated to take charge of the affairs of the South-west zone. Your task and responsibility is not an enviable one, it is quite demanding, you have to make some sacrifices. Your being inaugurated is for the interest of the party to ensure that the party takes its place in the South-west," Jaja said.

Chairman of the caretaker committee Chief Ishola Filani also maintained that the setting up of the caretaker committee for the South-west was not directed at the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, but in fulfilment of a court order.

Filani, who acknowledged that the task of the committee is onerous, said the party was only obeying court order by inauguration the committee, adding that the South-West chapter of the party has nothing against the party or Mr. President. "Ours is to reconcile the people, we require your support and prayers so that we can succeed."

Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju, was also sworn in yesterday as the new national auditor of the PDP following the removal of Chief Bode Mustapha by the leadership of the party.