seven Peoples Democratic Party governors appear to have
collapsed, investigation by The PUNCH on Thursday, has
revealed.
The PUNCH learnt of this just as one of the rebel
governors, Dr. Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano State, said
their romance with the All Progressives Congress, was an
indication that they were on their way to the APC.
At the last peace meeting between Jonathan, the aggrieved
governors and the leadership of the New Peoples Democratic
Party on October 7, further deliberations were adjourned
with an understanding that they would resume after the
Muslim and Christian pilgrimages.
Jonathan returned from Israel nine days ago and since then
there has been no indication that the talks between him and
the aggrieved governors would continue.
A reliable Presidency source said in Abuja on Thursday
that the President might no longer be favourably disposed to
further discussions with the G-7 governors and other members
of the New PDP.
The source said the best the President could do was to ask
Vice-President Namadi Sambo to continue with the
discussions on his behalf.
He said the way the governors had been openly romancing
with the APC had convinced the President that their hearts
were no longer in the PDP.
The source added that rather than wasting his time on those
who had made up their minds to weaken the PDP before
leaving it, the President and his team would henceforth
concentrate on mobilising members whose hearts and souls
remained in the party.
He said, "I can tell you authoritatively that the battle line has
been drawn with them (the aggrieved governors).
"They (the governors) have crossed the line. President
Jonathan will no longer meet with them.
"To give a semblance of listening to them, the President
will ask the Vice-President to meet with them(rebel
governors). But the President will not do that again.
"There is nothing new that they can bring again. It is clear
with their romance with the leaders of the APC that their
hearts are no longer in the PDP.
"It is also clear that what they want to do is to weaken the
party before they will finally leave.
"Rather than wasting time on them, we will now concentrate
on mobilising members whose hearts are still in the party. The
truth is that we can no longer trust them."
Kwakwanso had at a dinner organised by the Progressive
Governors' Forum in Abuja on Wednesday, said the
rebel governors' romance with APC was an indication
that they were no longer interested in remaining in the PDP.
Kwakwanso, represented by his Special Adviser on Sports,
Mr. Ahmed Gara, noted that the rebel governors, who are
the linchpin of the New PDP, were happy to be associated
with the APC.
He said, "We are happy to be associated with the APC. We
are still consulting concerning the invitation sent to us by the
party to defect.
"In fact, our coming here shows that we are on our way to the
APC. But as soon as we are done with the consultations, we
would let the world know."
Apart from the Kano State governor, others in the G-7 are
Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Sule
Lamido (Jigawa); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Abdulfatah
Ahmed (Kwara); and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto).
At the event, one of the APC leaders and a former Governor
of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the seven
aggrieved PDP governors as "beautiful brides."
He asked them and others he referred to as progressives, to
join hands in order to prevent rigging of elections in 2015.
Buhari, who is also a prominent APC leader, had broken his
silence on the proposed national conference, saying it was
conceived by the PDP-led Federal Government to cover up
its many inadequacies.
Via: Punch
No comments:
Post a Comment