Nigerian president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Friday night paid an unexpected visit to former Nigerian Vice-president, Atiku Abubakar.
The meeting which held up to the early hours of Saturday was based on negotiation to persuade the former VP to lead an interim government of national unity that the president has been attempting to sell to diverse political figures in recent weeks, Sahara reporters had reported.
A source speaking on the matter said Mr. president, Diezani Alison- Madueke, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan , Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Ayo Fayose amongst others have vowed that handling over power to the APC presidential candidate, Buhari is out of the option.
Speaking to Attiku, he disclosed that the idea of the interim Government did not come up during their long conversation with the president adding that he had already retired to his master bed room when he was called upon because of the arrival of the president who was already in his living room.
He also revealed that President Jonathan has persuaded him to rejoin his former party, PDP which he turned down.
According to Mr. Atiku, the president also discussed the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgents, asking for support for Nigerian troops fighting in the area. He said they also discussed the possibility of displaced Nigerians returning to the areas that have been recaptured from Boko Haram.
Atiku also disclosed that during his meeting with the president, he realized that the president was not ready for the poll scheduled for March 28.
In his telephone interview with SaharaReporters, Mr. Atiku disclosed that he was opposed to the formation of an interim government. He stated that when former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, set up an interim national government in 1993, the dictator offered him a position in the government through the late General Shehu Yar’Adua (ret.). He said he rejected the position, adding that it was eventually given to a Lagos politician, Dapo Sarumi.
He later said during his conversation with the president, he advised the president to make sure elections were free and fair and devoid of the bloodshed that trailed the 2011 general elections.
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