A former governor of Borno State, Ali Sheriff, has been named the new chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDP is Nigeria’s biggest opposition party, and was defeated only in May 2015 after holding power for 16 years.

Mr. Sherrif, who is replacing Ahmadu Mu’azu, the former chairman who resigned shortly after the polls, has been a controversial figure amid allegations he funded and sponsored the extremist sect, Boko Haram. He denies the allegation.

The spokesperson for PDP, Olisa Metuh, who addressed journalists at the Abuja’s Wadata plaza secretariat of the party, on Tuesday, said all organs of the party, including, the national caucus, PDP governors’ forum and the national assembly caucuses agreed on the choice of Mr. Sherffi, who is also a former senator.

Mr. Metuh said the decision would be communicated to the Board of Trustees and subsequently, the National Executive Committee, NEC, for ratification before a formal announcement would be made.

More details coming.