Feelers have emerged that the embattled Chairman of the Nigeria’s Governors Forum has launched moves to reconcile his political ambition and apparatus with the agenda of the leaders of the party and President Jonathan.
The peace moves were reportedly launched due to Governor Akpabio’s threats to oust all the traitors from the party.
Pro-Amaechi forces are said to have assessed as futile any ongoing dispute with the President and the leadership of the party, seeing as the latter forces were increasingly in control of the PDP apparatus in the country.
Recently President Jonathan called six governors to a PDP caucaus meeting and did not invite Amaechi and other PDP governors seen to be working to divide the party.
Those who were invited are Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Gabriel Suswan (Benue); Theodore Orji (Abia); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta).
The President is seem to have firm control of the PDP state chapters in the South-South and also in several states in the North, including Kaduna where the vice-President has exercised some measure of control.
Also sources say some PDP governors who earlier sided with Amaechi have begun shifting back to the Presidency causing Amaechi some discomfort.
A top member of the PDP NWC, who pleaded anonymity, told the Punch, “Amaechi and the other governors are reaching out to the President and other leaders of the party because they fear that they may lose out in the struggle for the control of the party’s NEC.
“No truce has been reached yet because we feel that they are retreating to re-strategise. We do not want to be caught unawares.
“The truth is that most state chapters are not with the group. If the party’s NEC is held today, they will lose.
“The option of going to the APC is out of it because the new party is loaded already. If they go there, they will not command the kind of respect they command in the PDP.”
When asked about the development, Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak said, “I am not aware of that but if they want peace and have made an approach, it is good.
“Everybody must be subject to party discipline and party supremacy; even Mr. President submits himself to party discipline and party supremacy.
“If the President submits himself to party discipline and party supremacy, the governors of PDP must do the same, the senators of PDP must do the same, every member of PDP should do the same for sake of peace.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, “There is no crisis between the party and any of its governors. We are on the same page. The formation of PDP Governors’ Forum has nothing to do with the NGF.
“The PDPGF is meant to project the image of the party and has nothing to do with the NGF. We are the largest party in Nigeria, with the highest number of governors. Nothing stops us from asking our governors to come together and form their own forum to project the image and performances of the party.
“But I can tell you that there is no conflict between us as a party and any of our governors.”