A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors which met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Rock villa tonight agreed to observe a “ceasefire” until final discussions on October 7 to iron out differences they have with the president.
An aide to President Jonathan said the air around the meeting gave them hope that the disagreements between the president’s faction and the ‘New PDP’ might be resolved on that date.
But one of the governors in attendance told SaharaReporters the meeting specifically achieved only the specific purpose of compelling both sides to avoid escalating the issues further.
Some of them were opposed to issuing a statement at the end of tonight’s out of concern that it could be manipulated by the president’s team.
He pointed out that before they could iron out any differences, the governor of Cross Rivers State, Liyel Imoke, had already drafted a statement to which they agreed so as to give peace a chance. the handwritten statement was later read by the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu
The focus of tonight’s meeting was mostly Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who members of Mr. Jonathan’s team presented as being too “belligerent” and having had an upper hand in the media.
The president reportedly told Amaechi to allow a statement to be issued if he doesn’t have anything personal against him.
Governor Amaechi reportedly replied he does not, adding that it would however make more sense to wait till October 7 before any statement was issued.
The meeting with the governors preceded the enlarged meeting at the villa today where they agreed not to question Mr. Jonathan’s firing of Ministers offloaded last week.
