Opposition governors may pull out of Forum
APC GOVERNORS IN A MAJOR STREET IN MAIDUGURI
Senator Saraki has met with his successor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.
The outcome of the meeting may lead to a reconciliation session between President Goodluck Jonathan and Amaechi, The Nation learnt.
But pro-Amaechi governors are strongly canvassing a secret ballot system for the NGF poll next month.
There were fears last night that opposition governors might pull out of the NGF – if the Presidency goes ahead to impose a chairman on the Forum.
According to sources, Saraki met with the three actors in the NGF politics between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday at his Lake Chad Street home in Maitama District in Abuja.
It was gathered that Saraki expressed concerns that the prevalent crisis among governors might lead to the disintegration of the Forum. He pleaded with the leaders to look at the broader objective of the NGF than the tussle over leadership.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “I think the peace meeting was at the instance of Akpabio who feels that PDP must be united ahead of 2015 than the present culture of wrangling and uncertainty in the party.
“Each of the governors explained to Saraki the genesis of the wrangling within the NGF. They all agreed that ambition is tearing the Forum apart.
“They also expressed the need to put the Forum in order ahead of its election in May or else those in the opposition might pull out of the NGF.
“They offered their readiness to sink their differences and sacrifice for the sake of the survival of the Forum.”
The meeting also resolved to reconcile President Jonathan with the leadership of the Forum.”
Asked of the outcome of the meeting, another source said: “I think there will be light at the end of the tunnel. These governors may sheathe their swords ahead of the NGF poll in May.”
Notwithstanding the peace brokered by Saraki, some governors who are pro-Amaechi were still working on “Plan B” yesterday.
They want the NGF poll to be conducted in line with the secret ballot method in the nation’s electoral system.
A source said: “We are making a strong case for secret ballot instead of the open system the Presidency is favouring.
“With secret ballot, each of the 36 governors will be able to vote according to his conscience.
“That is the first thing we will push for in May.”
But there were strong indications that opposition governors might pull out of the Forum if the presidency imposes a candidate on the Forum.
A source added: “We hope the PDP will not impose a chairman on the NGF. If they do, the progressive governors in opposition cannot be forced to accept such an arrangement.
“The alternative will be for the opposition governors to opt out of NGF until sanity prevails.”
Culled from The Nation
No comments:
Post a Comment