PDP Peace Talk:President Jonathan Snubs Baraje, Prepares For Oct. 7 Meeting

Abuja - As the presidency prepares for tomorrow’s meeting with the G-7 governors, it has shunned the emissary sent by the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because “it is an illegal platform and an interloper”.

  It was learnt last night that President Goodluck Jonathan was not favourably disposed to relating with the Kawu Baraje “new PDP” because he strongly believed there is no faction in the ruling party. Presidency sources also said that President Jonathan would consider it a slight on him and his office if the affected governors failed to attend the meeting without formally informing him of their decision.

A competent source in Aso Rock told journalist that the emissary from the Baraje group could not have arrived in the State House because the president does not recognise him and the faction he leads.

The official also disclosed that the presidency was yet to receive any formal communication from the G-7 governors whom he is parleying with to resolve the intra-party crisis.

“The implication is that the presidency is still prepared for the October 7 meeting with the governors as agreed in their last meeting. Do not forget that Baraje is not part of the negotiations. Any communication to the president must be from the so-called aggrieved governors. In what capacity did Baraje announce in the media that he is putting off a meeting with the president when he is not part of it, even before his so-called emissary was yet to leave his house?” he added.

The source added that neither the presidency nor the governors have announced any shift in the date of the meeting.

“As it stands, the meeting will hold as scheduled unless the governors have developed cold feet.”

The source further said that the meeting, whether it holds or not, will decide the final outcome of the reconciliation process.

On whether failure to hold the meeting on Monday means the total collapse of the reconciliation process in the party, the source said the implication may trigger further actions.

“I cannot say that would mark the end of reconciliation, but you should know that the actions and utterances of the governors do not suggest that they are serious with the ongoing dialogue.

Source: Leadership