Indication has emerged from the meeting held between President Goodluck Jonathan and the new PDP at the ASO Villa last night, that the Abubakar Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party may have relaxed its earlier position over the 2015 ambition of President Jonathan. The group had earlier demanded that Jonathan should not seek a second term in office. The aggrieved governors reconsidered their position after the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur appealed to them that dialogue was the only option out of the present political impasse that confronts the party, saying the problem can be resolved amicably and in a family way.
The meeting which began at about 3.30 pm at the first Lady’s conference room, on Sunday, had about 9 governors in attendance. The Governors were Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Abdulfattah Ahmed (Kwara) Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Idris Wada (Kogi).
Like every other day, journalists were barred from monitoring the meeting.
Sources from the meeting had told our correspondent that in the place of the earlier demand that President Jonathan should drop his 2015 ambition; the nPDP was to give another condition, which is to ensure that president gives them irreversible evidence of allowing due process in the nomination process for the party’s 2015 presidential candidate.One of the proofs that he would stand by his promises as gathered, is to sack Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as national chairman and the restoration of Adamawa and Rivers executives of the party.
The decision to relax their demands over the 2015 ambition of President Jonathan as learnt may not be unconnected to the campaign by the president’s aides that the governors had given the president some unconstitutional conditions. However, a source from the group denied their decision had anything to do with the campaign of the president’s aides.
“This is not about 2015, but we want the president to provide clear guarantees that due process would be allowed to prevail in the party in all matters relating to the party and also the presidential contest,” one of the governors said.
Another source had disclosed that the governors were to know from the President whether he would be running for 2015 or not.
However, at the last meeting, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State had reportedly demanded that Dr. Jonathan declares his 2015 presidential ambition to the nation, but he was rebuked by Governors Idris Wada of Kogi and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State who had posited that such demand was unecessary.
Meanwhile, in a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olise Metuh, he appealed to the governors and the new PDP to return home, so they can continue to build the nation together, pleading with them not to join those who do not mean well for Jonathan’s government.
Metuh said: ”The Peoples Democratic Party has urged all its estranged members to fully utilize the window of dialogue and reconciliation offered it and avoid playing into the hands of those who do not wish the nation or her democracy well.
“The party also said the ongoing muted skirmishes and well organized theatrics aimed at portraying the President in bad light were not necessary because as members of one big family, no challenge was insurmountable.
“This tactics is antithetical to democracy but not an unfamiliar rule of engagement. However, it is important that we avoid over-stretching it so as not to play into the waiting hands of the desperate, wishing to incite the people and destroy our common destiny.”
“We wish to assure our members therefore that we are still capable of resolving our challenges and urge them to be more committed to our progress. We shall emerge stronger.”
“Very unfortunately, the easiest way to gain prominence today is to attack the President and the leadership of his party, not on issues of governance or on alternative direction of governance but on the pedestrian that borders on sheer mudslinging.
“While the inconsequential makes the banner, the essentials and the substantial in the consistent though quiet transformation of the nation are tucked away in obscure riders. The media are critical building block of democracy and the Nigerian media have stood firm across the decades. It must not relent.
“In all these, our firm support for the President as the leader and symbol of our party in government remains total. We shall neither waver nor allow narrow sentiments stand in the way of the absolute resolve of our great party to better the lots of all Nigerians.” The statement had concluded.
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