Jonathan, G7 governors to strike deal

Alast ditch effort by President Goodluck Jonathan for the resumption of peace talks with aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has yielded results, with the Abubakar Baraje-led faction rescinding its decision to boycott today's meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sources close to one of the governors, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the decision to attend the meeting followed discussions with the President over the weekend.

Confirming that an earlier letter seeking a postponement of the meeting signed by Baraje had been withdrawn, the source explained that it was agreed that the office of the President should be respected, even if some of his loyalists continue to talk tough.

Asked if there was a likelihood of concession by the President, who is backing Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to continue as chairman, the source said he was positive that certain concessions must have been made, going by what he described as the 'conviviality of the discussions with the Commander-in-Chief had with the governors on the telephone'.

He said: 'The meeting will hold as scheduled and there is a reason for that. Yes, we had earlier resolved to boycott the meeting due to the way some of the President's close associates have been carrying on. But, after the President's intervention and discussions, we feel his office should be respected.

'As things stand today, we have asked our Chairman to withdraw the letter.'

On likely concession, one of the governors said: 'Yes, going by the conviviality of the discussions with the Commander-in-Chief, I believe some concessions have been reached, but I cannot reveal them now. All I know is that the case of Bamanga Tukur leading the party is not negotiable and we made that clear to the President. He cannot continue because he has shown that he does not have what it takes to lead a party like the PDP. He still behaves like an headmaster, issuing out orders to governors as if they are his boys. That is simply not acceptable.

'We learnt that those who think this is about the personal interest of the governors have been trying to convince us to take some offers, but I can tell you this is not the case.

'At this level, it would be a political suicide for any one to accept or contemplate taking such Greek gift. We are determined to see this through and return the party to its old glory. That is our goal and we are not thinking of defecting to any party as being speculated. No one can push us out of the party and we must have firm control of the party's machinery in our states.'

The Baraje PDP in a statement confirming the meeting last night said: 'Alh. Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the National Chairman of PDP, just called from Saudi Arabia around 9pm on 6th October, 2013 to direct that the Governors and stakeholders of PDP under his administration that include Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Alh. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Alh. Kwankwaso of Kano State who are yet to travel to Mecca should meet with the National Leader of our party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr Goodluck Jonathan by 9am on 7th October, 2013 at the seat of power in Abuja to formally obtain permission from Mr. president to shift the meeting date to a more convenient date when all our leaders may have come back from performing the Haji operation.

'Shifting the meeting to morning period is to allow the mentioned Governors apart from Govovernor Amaechi to travel to Mecca later in the day of 7th October, 2013 for the Hajj operation.

'According to the National Chairman, Alh. Kawu Baraje, this step is borne out of the plea by President Jonathan and respect we have for his office.'

Presidential Political Adviser Ahmed Gulak also confirmed the meeting yesterday.