President Goodluck
Jonathan on Sunday held two separate meetings with former President
Olusegun Obasanjo and 16 Peoples Democratic Party in what is believed
to be his bid to resolve the crisis that led to the emergence of a
splinter group in the party.
He first met behind closed doors with
Obasanjo for about two hours inside his official residence in the
Presidential Villa, Abuja and then the governors, including four of the
seven that are the arrowheads of the splinter group known as the new
PDP.
The four are Babangida Aliyu (Niger),
Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Muritala Nyako (Adamawa) and Abdulfatah Ahmed
(Kwara).The other governors in the Group of Seven are Aliyu Wamakko
(Sokoto), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).
The G-7 and a founding member, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar, had walked out of the PDP special convention in Abuja
on Saturday and consequently, announced the formation of the new
PDP.
Also in the faction are a former Acting
National Chairman of the PDP, Kawu Baraje; a suspended National
Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and a former National Deputy
National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja.
They were said to have been miffed by
the way Dr. Bamanga Tukur and the Presidency had been running the party
to the exclusion of other critical stakeholders.
Less than 24 hours after the splinter
group emerged, Obasanjo, who did not attend the special national
convention at the Eagles Square, Abuja, showed up at the Presidential
Villa.
Decked in a white flowing dress (agbada)
and a traditional cap, Obasanjo first joined Jonathan and his wife,
Patience, for Sunday service at the Aso Villa Chapel .
The former President’s visit coincided
with that of the President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, who also
worshipped with the first family inside the chapel.
After the service, Jonathan led his guests to the children church where they took turns to pray for the children.
The President, former President, Yayi
and the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe,
thereafter retired into the President’s residence “for lunch.”
It was however learnt that the
President discussed issues bordering on the crisis in the PDP with
Obasanjo and bilateral relations with Yayi.
It will be recalled that Wamakko,
Aliyu, Kwankwaso, Nyako and Lamido had met with Obasanjo in his
Abeokuta, Ogun State residence as part of their nationwide
consultations over the state of the nation and the party.
They also met with former military dictators, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, Niger State.
As part of efforts to resolve the
crisis, Obasanjo had in August met with PDP governors inside the
Presidential Villa for two days.The meeting did not however yield any
positive result.
Special Adviser to the President on
Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed to journalists that
Jonathan met with Obasanjo and Yayi after worshipping together at the
chapel.
In a brief statement made available to
journalists, Abati explained that Obasanjo did not participate in the
bilateral talks between the President and Yayi. He however did not say
what his boss dscussed with the former President.
The statement reads, “President
Goodluck Jonathan met on Sunday at the Presidential Villa with President
Boni Yayi of neighbouring Benin Republic.
“Both leaders attended Sunday service
together at the Villa Chapel before proceeding to the presidential
residence for lunch and bilateral talks.
“The talks between them focussed on
issues related to the strengthening of developmental cooperation between
Nigeria and Benin Republic, including trade and economic relations.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
worshipped with President Jonathan and President Yayi at the
Presidential Villa but did not participate in the talks between them.”
* Jonathan’s meeting with 16 govs
Hours after meeting with the former
President and Yayi, Jonathan also held a crucial meeting with Governors
Aliyu, Kwankwaso, Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Nyako (Adamawa), Idris Wada
(Kogi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), and
Ahmed.
Others were Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta),
Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Garba Umar (Taraba
Acting Governor), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Theodore Orji (Abia), Ibrahim
Dankwambo (Gombe) and Jonah Jang (Plateau).
As at 9.25pm when Jonathan arrived the
venue of the meeting, the 16 governors had taken their seats inside
the First Lady’s conference room in the Presidential Villa
The PDP lawyer, Mr. Joe Gadzama (SAN),
also attended the meeting alongside the Secretary to the Government of
the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the National Security
Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).
The meeting was still ongoing as at 10am when this report was filed.
• Obasanjo sues for peace
Obasanjo expressed concern over the
development and called on both sides to maintain the status quo. He
assured in a brief statement on Sunday evening that a meeting of the
elders of the PDP would be convened before the end of this week over the
matter.
The statement reads, “The situation in
our ruling PDP after the convention on Saturday and the parallel
convention same day has given great concern to all well-meaning members
of the party and particularly to the elders of the party.
“While some select elders are making
efforts to get the situation resolved as soon as possible, it is
imperative to emphasise that the move will bring back peace and return
it to its vigorous and dynamic election-winning ways.
“I want to passionately appeal to both
sides for now to sheath their swords, maintain the status quo, with
earliest conveyance of the elders’ meeting before the end of this week.
Members are equally enjoined to remain calm until the elders’ complete
their peace-making meeting.”
• Amaechi, others shouldn’t misbehave – Presidency
There were however discordant tunes by
the Presidency, Obasanjo and the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum,
Chief Godswill Akpabio, on the factionalisation of the PDP.
While the Presidency, through the
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak,
blew hot on Sunday over the development, Obasanjo and Akpabio
preached reconciliation.
Gulak, in an interview with one of our
correspondents in Abuja, said the formation of the new PDP was the
“height of irresponsibility.”
He said if the intention of the seven governors was to cause crisis in the party and then jump ship, they would not succeed.
The presidential aide said with the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and other extant
laws, the governors and the others in their group had no basis to
misbehave or be irresponsible.
Gulak said although the PDP remained one
united family, it would not be moved if some of its members opted to
become “prodigal sons or daughters.”
He said Jonathan was not disturbed
about the development because of his belief that everybody had the
right to aspire to the highest office in the land.
Gulak said, “That development is the
height of irresponsibility. Nobody expected people in their positions as
governors to do that. They should know what the law says. They should
know what INEC regulatory Act says.
“They should know that there is only one
PDP and if they want to precipitate crisis in the PDP, they will not
succeed. If they want to leave PDP and join another group, they are at
liberty to do so.
“As far as we are concerned, there is
one PDP and the party had its national convention yesterday (Saturday)
and we elected officers to fill the vacancies in the National Working
Committee.
“As far as the PDP is concerned, we
remain a united family but if your son or daughter decides to be a
prodigal son or daughter, so be it. But we plead with them to be
reasonable; to be law-abiding; to know that nobody is above the law.
“The Electoral Act and the
constitution and extant laws are very clear on this issue. They have no
basis at all for misbehaving; they have no reasons at all to be
irresponsible. They should come back to their senses and abide by the
rules and regulations if they want to continue in PDP.
“But if they have decided to abandon
PDP, jump ship and join another political party or form another
political party, they are at liberty. We are not perturbed; we are not
disturbed. Everybody has the right to aspire to the highest position in
this country.”
•Akpabio vows to reunite aggrieved govs
Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of
the PDP Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, had told
journalists at the Eagle Square venue of the convention that he would
reconcile the aggrieved governors.
He said, “Let me tell you that some of
my colleagues and I have resolved here and now to ensure a total
reconciliation with all those that have grievances. I can tell you
that there was a break in communication. I was with the former Vice-
President and we even took pictures with the Deputy President of the
Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, at the convention venue.
“This is a family affair and I can assure you that in a few days’ time, this matter would be resolved.”
He added that the PDP Governors’ Forum had commenced reaching out to the governors, whom The PUNCH
learnt, continued their strategy meeting after their press
conference at the Jigawa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Saturday.
• Nyako predicts more crises
But Nyako predicted more crises for
the Bamanga Tukur-led faction of the PDP. He said the Tukur faction
would split in the next two or three months.
The Director of Press, Adamawa State,
Mr. Ahmad Sajo, spoke on behalf of the governor in a telephone
interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday.
Justifying their action, Nyako advised
the Tukur leadership to carry out a thorough assessment of the party
with a view to finding a lasting solution.
He said, “The step we took was the right
step. Now, if they have eyes to see the reality, they would seek for a
genuine understanding of the situation with a view to finding a lasting
solution.
“If they continue to toe the same line
even what they parade as the PDP (the Tukur faction) will split in the
next two or three months.”
He said the Tukur leadership disallowed authentic delegates from Adamawa State from participating in the convention.
“All the people in the Adamawa list
were not national delegates. Some of them were candidates of the Labour
Party at the time the PDP held its congress to elect its national
delegates,” Nyako added.
The governor, who said that the PDP in
the state would take a legal action, claimed that Abubakar was
disrespected at the convention.
“Turaki Abubakar was not given a seat at
the state box as a former Vice-President and Board of Trustees
member. He was told to go and sit with ordinary delegates from Adamawa
State. He was disrespected,” Nyako said.
•Clark blames Obasanjo
A former Minister of Information, Chief
Edwin Clark, on Sunday asked Nigerians to hold Obasanjo responsible for
the action of the seven PDP governors.
Clark, an ardent supporter of Jonathan,
insisted that Obasanjo was encouraging Lamido and Amaechi to run for
Presidency on a joint ticket in 2015.
He told journalists in Abuja that the ambition of the two governors was the beginning of the crisis in the PDP.
He said, “Obasanjo is the one
encouraging them; he is pushing governors Lamido and Amaechi to run in
2015, that’s where the trouble started.
“Amaechi thought because Senator Bukola
Saraki used the Nigeria Governors’ Forum chair to contest to be
President, he could also use it to become Vice-President and we have
said in the South-South that we want President, not Vice-President. So,
the group of governors which Amaechi has joined believes only a
Northerner can be President.”
On the involvement of the former
Vice-President, Clark said, “Abubakar said he is in PDP, not PDM but
all his men are in PDM. Is that a loyal member of the party? All his
followers have left. PDM was created by Abubakar.
“Even Governor Nyako had boasted that
they would bury the PDP. Let them go, but I can tell you that PDP will
remain stronger. They will soon know that they are alone. Abubakar has
always been a disloyal person; what he is doing now is what he had done
to Obasanjo.”
(PUNCH)
Calling meetings will never sole your problems.
ReplyDeleteHow many meeting have they had about Boko Haram, they have been operating for years, killing people everyday.
Jonathon no longer condemns the attacks, they are embarrassing, they happen everyday.
He is to busy playing in his 11 private jets, and 2 Helicopters that cost $40 million dollars
NIGERIANS WAKE UP, BEFORE ITS TO LATE.
What is d problem if Ameachi and Nyako decide to contest for any post,are they not Nigerian? Dis Old man call Clark should go back to his village,must everybody support Jonathan?Its time For Nigerians to wake up and face d reality we need a bold and vibrant president not d one dat will be controlled by a stark illiterate woman.
ReplyDeleteIs Amaechi bigger than the rest of the country Why must he be the only Southerner singing or dancing the Northern agenda against Goodluck
DeleteHe has made a mistake and he will regret it in future Who was he before Odili picked him up from a card issuing staff of his clinic to becoming Speaker if the Stare Assembly
For all I care he can even redraw the map of Nigeria and move Rivers state cluster to Jigawa State
John
Clark u are crazy how can can u pen your mouth to talk rubbish i tot u are a mature man now i know you think like a baby grow up old man
ReplyDeleteMr Edwin Clark you will soon find out who is who. Just wait a bit.
ReplyDeleteMy take on this issue of crisis in PDP is as a result of greed and personal aggrandizement. I equally think that those governors are very irresponsible in their acts. Can they take a cue from the USA Governors or Senate, who oppose their president when there is need to do so. Rotimi Amaechi is very very irresponsible in his attitude, I do not know what makes him feel that he is a champion, this is a man who left all the roads in Rivers State in shambles. You will be on a traffic for four good hours, still he has the guts to challenge the president and PDP top notche. It is simply because they feel above the law by applying rascality in governance.
ReplyDeleteDavid Amadi Nna... I repeat, Edwin Clerk has a kindergaten mentality riduddled wit regional & ethnic sentiment. He's an expired horse wit primitive ideology.Can d south,south alone return GEJ? The option is reconcile wit d most influencial Gov of Rivers & chairman of NGF or forget about 2015
ReplyDeleteReconcile with who?. With the power-hungry and blinded Amaechi?.you can only do that with someone who is ready for reconciliation not with a man who is fixated cos of illusion of becoming a vice president even if it means selling the collective interest of his people. Tufiakwa!!
DeleteThis is an article i want to send to your blog but as I did not see any link or means to send it across, that is why am pasting here as comment. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow MTN has transformed many lives in Nigeria
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In spite of the heavy criticisms and the challenges of running business in Nigeria including complete dependence on generators as well as insecurity, the company has consistently soared. I often imagine that MTN Nigeria has one of a very intelligent Business development and advertising team. Since the company established its domineering presence in the Nigerian Telco industry, it has consistently maintained an edge in many ways
MTN adverts: once it’s an MTN advert, you can be sure that it must make a bold statement. Every sound, move and message of an MTN advert exudes an aura of well thought out plan from conceptualization to execution. If you sit back to recall some of the adverts that have been from MTN you’ll obviously be amazed. I often wish there could be a something like a festival of MTN adverts to appreciate the brilliant minds of their creators.
When MTN steps into the life of an individual; it is destiny changing and life improving. Do you remember how Saka has been advertising for another Telco and nobody even knew he was there until MTN stepped into his life and gave him a golden opportunity. On the sign up of the Limpopo song track of Kcee as MTN tune, it’s been life transforming for the singer who emerged the winner of a music talent show from another company. There are several other untold stories of the positive impact of MTN to different people in different places in Nigeria.
Some of you may not even know that MTN took over the ‘who wants to be a millionaire’ TV show from Vmobile (that was first called Econet, later became Zain and now Airtel); another Telco provider! Since the take-over, the program has been sustained with new variants added including episodes for children. The show has also kept a lot of people employed including the presenter of the show. It may not be possible to make each and every Nigerian a millionaire but within their sphere of influence MTN has done well.
find the rest of the article in next comment
This is an article ( the concluding part of How MTN has transformed many lives in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteThe MTN Project Fame is the ‘ebe ano’ of music talent shows. In my view, I’ll rate the MTN PF as the most relevant program that promotes talented singers. PF is an original concept, it’s no franchise and it has produced outstanding talents who are making waves at home and internationally. PF has not only set to produce and celebrate new music stars, it also grooms and trains every singer who steps foot into the PF academy. If you’ve followed the PF series for these six seasons you will testify that it has made huge impact in the lives of talented singers in West Africa. Even six year olds who started watching the MTN PF from their one year birthday can reel off the names of the successive winners of each season; and my little nephew even knows the winning songs for the last four MTN PF seasons. it worth to say ‘kudos’ to the career sharpening impact of the MTN project fame
Talk of the MTN Foundation going on in various Nigerian universities, or the leadership programs that the Telco giant holds from time to time, it simply refreshing and reassuring to have them among us.
It is the same tough terrain that other Telco providers operate that MTN also does its business. It is within the same Nigeria of the many constraints of running business in Nigeria that MTN operates. The company also faces criticism from users, competitors, regulatory body etc just as every other Telco providers in Nigeria. In spite of that, MTN stands strong as if unperturbed and unflinching in their steps. Sometime ago, I read about the vandalization of the MTN equipment in some states in Nigeria; that notwithstanding, the company keeps striving to keep business in near absoluteness.
It is not to say that MTN is perfect, or faultless, it is just that I feel the company deserves commendation. Consistency in a virtue and MTN has nailed it and has also shown that it has the will to stay strong and run all its projects and programs consistently and improving them from time to time. Well done MTN…we are indeed feeling you everywhere we go!
Written by Cece, the presenter of Sharing Moments with Cece showing on Silverbird Television Abuja every Saturday at 11am. sharingomentv@yahoo.com or cimedia@ymail.com. www.cecefanclub.blogspot.com , www.facebook.com/sharingmomenttv www.twitter.com/sharingmomenttv www.theexcellentkoncept.com
Well, without crisis there won't be development and awareness.
ReplyDeleteWell, without crisis there won't be development and awareness.
ReplyDeleteGEJ and his group have set up a trend in our democratic institute that has the capacity of sweeping the hard earned democracy. many lost their loved ones to take us to where we are today while then they know nothing about the sacrifices. GEJ and his men institutionalized impunity in our democracy as the formula of the game. by 2015 you will see about three presidents in this country emerging as winners. many governors and other political office holders more than as required. he is shouting foul for the trend he has established. long live new pdp. god bless you and we shall win by 2015. GEJ u never see anything, you better open your eyes.
ReplyDeletelets see how all this ends up in 2015|me, personally i will vote for GEJ again simply because of all the lot he is still the only one that is ready to give democracy a chance> He is not a saint but at least he doesnt impose himself on the populace like others have done.As to the issue of the new pdp; i still dey laugh ooo. Atiku still hasnt learnt his lesson and will be overshadowed the more n the coming disposition. We are tired of the same old way of doing things and the same old people. If they are not satisfied with what is going on in pdp ;they have the option of movng on to other parties. Besides do they think we all dont know that the real issue is who becomes president in 2015 and all they are seeking is political relevance. Power does not belong to a particular region or tribe and i pray that even before 2015 it will be clear too all our no good politicians that their time is over and that newer elements are taking over. I get am before no be my property oooo.
ReplyDelete