Vice President Meets With N/A And PDP Leaders

Abuja Jan 19, (THEWILL) – The controversies surrounding the absence of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua may have been the reason for the closed door meeting between the Vice president, Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker of the House, Dimeji Bankole; his deputy Ibrahim Nafada; Chairman Governors' Forum, Bukola Saraki; Attorney General, Michael Aondoakaa; PDP Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor; his Legal Adviser, Olusola Oke; National Secretary PDP, Abubakar Baraje; and SGF, Yayale Ahmed.

The meeting, which looked like it was called in an emergency because it was not scheduled on the VP's Tuesday itinerary lasted for about an hour.

Multiple Presidency sources say the meeting deliberated on the President's health and his continued absence from the country. Also discussed we gathered was the high court ruling allowing the Veepee exercise presidential powers and the current mood of the nation.

None of the attendees addressed reporters after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Wednesday's Federal Executive Council meeting has been slated to start 30 minutes earlier. The meeting usually starts at 10.am. The president's long absence we understand may be discussed for the first time at the meeting.

THEWILL has not been able to independently confirm that the shift in time was to accommodate President Yar'Adua's address to the Ministers via video conferencing.