The peace-making efforts underway to avoid the impending crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may hit the rocks if former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) finally decides to pull out of the reconciliation attempts.
This would be linked to threats from an ex-militants’ leader of the Niger Delta, Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo.
It was learnt that Gen. Babangida described Asari-Dokubo’s recent threats in the media as insulting to eminent leaders on the seven-man panel headed by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Hence, the next 24 to 48 hours may determine IBB’s position on the issue.
A source revealed that IBB who is now being pressured “to have a rethink” was upset by “the alleged reckless comments” from Asari Dokubo, expressing shock that the ex-militant has not been cautioned.
“The former Head of State may pull out of the ongoing peace talks instead of allowing anyone to mess up his efforts.
“There is however pressure on him to ignore Asari-Dokubo’s threats or comments because he is not one of the parties to PDP crisis.
“He was also shocked that no one has called the ex-militant leader to order”, the source said.
It was also revealed that Babangida is seems “uncomfortable” Asari-Dokubo is threatening violence despite the peace efforts of eminent leaders in the country.
At the weekend, Asari-Dokubo had taken to the media to threaten violence if President Goodluck Jonathan is not allowed the privilege of a second term in office by 2015.
In a related development, the Bamanga Tukur-led faction of the PDP has threatened to expel some members of the Kawu Baraje faction of the party by d dissolving the State Executive Committees of the PDP in five states.
This is according to highlights gathered from the report of the Political Committee, one of the secret committees raised by the President which is said to have already been concluded.
It would be recalled that President Jonathan set up three committees last Thursday before travelling to Kenya.
The committees (Political, Legal and Contact) were expected to give advisory elucidation on the way out of the current quagmire in the PDP.
This is expected to help the presidency check the aggression of the G-7 governors and the Kawu Baraje faction.
A reliable source in the presidency said: “The other measures recommended by the committee include an X-ray of the activities of the disloyal members in the states and possible expulsion of some of those indicted in the factionalisation of PDP.
However, Tukur, going by the insinuations may hand over the said party structures to those President Goodluck Jonathan’s loyalists in the aforementioned states including Kwara; Kano; Jigawa; Sokoto and Adamawa.