Monday, 16 September 2013

PDP Crisis: President Jonathan, Rebel Governors Inch Toward Reconciliation



The crucial final stage of the truce meetings to resolve the lingering crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have provided a pathway to peace as all parties involved in the festering conflict have agreed to work together in the interest of the party.

As a major step, parties involved in the crisis have resolved to halt all media wars pending further measures to firm up the reconciliation process are properly instituted. This is even as the reconciliation meeting will resume on October 7.

Yesterday’s make or mar meeting with the president, vice president, Namadi Sambo and chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih, was attended by Governors RotimiAmaechi (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).

Governor Aliyu read the communiqué at the end of the five hour meeting which started at about 3.30pm at the first lady conference room. Governor Aliyu alongside President Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano briefed the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on the outcome of the meeting.

Governor Aliyu, who read the communiqué at about 11.00pm said, “All parties have undertaken to commence immediate actions and agreed towards a complete resolution of all matters and to continue to meet until all processes towards full reconciliation are concluded. The meeting will continue on Monday, October 7, 2013”,

“Leaders and stakeholders and the governors of Adamawa, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, Jigawa, AkwaIbom, Kogi and Cross River states met with the president, the Vice President and the chairman of the board of trustees and extensively deliberated on various issues over a three day period.

“The discussions were cordial and fruitful with a clear commitment on both sides to resolve all the issues raised at the meetings, the meeting also called on all parties to sheath their swords and avoid further inflammatory comments on all issues, particularly during the course of our deliberations as efforts are being made to resolve all differences.

“We use this opportunity, therefore, to thank all members of our party and supporters for the patience and understanding”.

But a presidency source who spoke in confidence said the October date was fixed as a result of certain legal hurdles and other ‘secondary areas’ as observed at the meeting. He disclosed that a six-man committee was set up on that but declined to give details about the composition.

“The date was fixed to ensure that all issues relating to legal wars are resolved. You know, since the crisis erupted, there have been a series of legal battles on both sides; I think the gap in the date to meet may have been informed by the need to settle out of court. A six-member committee will work out the modalities on that

“Apart from that, you know that the crisis has ruffled many feathers on a personal note; all these have to be identified and put into consideration so that the settlement will be total and committal,” he said.

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