The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members seem to be dragging gradually towards reconciliation as they have begun ceding their respective agitations and grievances to pursue the cause of “collective and national interests” as well as to deliver “democratic” dividends to the people.
The previous moves made to reconcile the differences between the G-7 and the presidency’s camp had hit the rock until last Sunday when a whole lot of issues hit the surface to clarify the grievances of the splinter group of the PDP popularly known as the “New PDP”.
The President despite still remaining adamant on 2015 claimed that what he said in Ethiopia during a , Expanded National Caucus Meeting was that he would not be a party to tenure elongation.
This was part of the efforts to make the reconciliation efforts as bare as possible even despite not allowing the press to have a full coverage of the matter.
However, the presidency’s camp led by President Goodluck Jonathan has made some concessions to the G-7 governors from Adamawa, Niger, Rivers, Kwara, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano States.
The President’s concession was made possible with his team at the meeting which included Vice-President Namadi Sambo; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Obong Godswill Akpabio; the governors of Kogi and Cross River states, Capt Idris Wada and Liyel Imoke.
The concessions made included that the following should be considered: immediate lifting of the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP; return of party structures to all the governors, including those of Rivers and Adamawa states; raising a committee to visit Rivers State, like it was the case with Adamawa State, to build consensus and restore party structure to the governor; and the governors and party leaders should leave Jonathan to decide Tukur’s fate.
The feasibility of the concessions was however not doubtful as another source noted that the President appeared willing, except that when it came to the crisis in Rivers PDP which Jonathan said requires a committee to unite all the stakeholders.
Hence It was gather that the President was straightforward on the recall of Amaechi from suspension when he said his team could ‘announce the lifting of the suspension with immediate effect.
But Ameachi was said to have insisted that it was more paramount to conclude and reconcile other issues and not lift his suspension “until everything is settled”.
It would be recalled that Ameachi has suspended since June 21, 2013 following his alleged refusal to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of the state.
A source who prefers anonymity said this was the first time, the meeting was conciliatory as there was no tension on all issues, “unlike the case at the previous sessions.”
“There were preliminary talks on why it is important to keep the party united. The President said his disposition was that ‘whatever is going on is a family fight which could be amicably resolved’. He spoke as a leader with national interest above all other considerations. And everyone also spoke on the fact that the issues at stake could be well-managed,” the source said.
The Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu however, insisted: “2015 is central to whatever compromise the parties would reach and demanded that it should be properly addressed.
“The issue might be addressed on October 7 when the groups reconvene. When the G-7 governors came out, they held a brief discussion and vowed to pursue one term for Jonathan.”
The session was, however, not without its drama. The communiqué was drafted by Governor Liyel Imoke, who was part of the Jonathan team and read by the governor of Niger state.
It has also not been agreed that Tuku will be sacked despite that the aggrieved G-7 insisted that Jonathan “could bring anyone to lead the party, except Tukur.
However, Amaechi is expected to withdraw all cases in court, respect the Presidency and party leadership.
“The media “war” should stop because the crisis is heating up the polity and inflammatory comments capable of dividing the country should be avoided” the source revealed that the factions have agreed.
On the allegations of the president’s insistence that he did not assent to a one-term agreement, the source said: “Jonathan clarified that what he said in Ethiopia was that as a democratic leader, he would not elongate his tenure under any guise. He said since the crisis in the party was basically on 2015, it is a matter that can be addressed later.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, expressed happiness that crises rocking the party were being gradually resolved.
“We are very happy and grateful to the President, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the chairman of BoT and other elders of the party.
“We are also happy with our governors. We are happy that the party has shown that it is capable of resolving its crises”, he enthused.