Former President Goodluck Jonathan met
with governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party
in Abuja on Monday night over the lingering crisis in the former ruling
party.
The meeting, which started a few minutes
after 6pm, was held at the office of the former President located at
Maitama District. It ended at exactly 10.07pm.
The governors were led to the meeting by
the chairman of their forum, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State,
Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
Others governors at the meeting were
Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi);
Seriake Dickson(Bayelsa); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Darius Ishaku
(Taraba); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Ben Ayade (Cross River); and Ipalibo
Baligo(Deputy Governor of Rivers State).
At the end of the meeting, Fayose told
reporters that the governors had decided to find a political solution to
the crisis in the party.
Fayose said, “It is my pleasure to tell
you that we are here at the instance of the former President. He is
genuinely concerned by what is going on in the party. And he thought
that an interactive session with the governors would go a long way to
douse the tension.
“One, we want to assure all our
supporters that we believe in this party. We believe in the success of
this party. We want to appeal to everybody to be wary of making
statements that could further worsen the situation.
“Rather we should make complimentary
statements that can enhance the party the more. Again, we know that
there are so many matters before the court. But we believe that a
political solution will go a long way to solve this matter.”
In his reply, Sheriff told our correspondent that he was ready to follow the path of peace as presented by the governors.
He said there was no way he would allow
the party to die, adding that anytime the governors call for meeting, he
would be glad to attend.
Sheriff, who spoke through the party’s
National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, appealed to all well-meaning
members of the party to watch the way they speak.
He said, “It is a good news to hear that our governors have agreed to find a political solution to the crisis.
“We are glad to hear that. This has
always been our position. We are ready to meet them and discuss. It is
only one party and we won’t allow it to die.
“Today is significant because this
is what we have been preaching. So, tell our enemies that we have agreed
to sheathe our swords and work together in the interest of peace.
