The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) may meet before the March 28 presidential elections.
It was gathered on Sunday that the meeting which might hold outside the country was to establish rapport between the two contenders before the election.
A source close to the Presidency said, “We are trying to broker a meeting between the two leaders.
“The way the presidential electioneering is going may create serious divisions among Nigerians. We need to stop this.
“Apart from this, I think there is serious apprehension in the camp of the President that if Buhari wins, he’s going to jail a lot of President Jonathan’s supporters for alleged corruption.
“This is one of the issues that is causing serious tension in the camp of the President and we also need to make sure that in whatever we do, there must be peace in the country.”
It was learnt that the claim by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Jonathan was afraid that Buhari could jail him was real after all.
A top member of the ruling PDP, who also spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said, this fact could not be denied by the party and the Presidency.
He said, “You have listened to the press conference by our campaign office and we didn’t deny that aspect. But we dealt with other issues.
“That statement by former President Obasanjo is real. It is true and we all know that. But we know that very soon, the meeting which we are hearing is being coordinated by some concerned leaders, might address that.”
Obasanjo had on Saturday said, ‘‘I believe the President’s fear is particularly motivated by whom he sees as his likely successor, that is, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. I believe people would have been telling him that Buhari is a hard man; he will fight corruption and he (Jonathan) may end up in jail if not in the grave. I think people would have told him that sort of thing and he is not the only one afraid of Buhari.’’
Meanwhile, the PDP has called on all political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process to join hands with the Independent National Electoral Commission to make the 2015 general elections a success.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said all parties must come together in the interest of the nation and ensure that measures that create the environment for credible, free and fair elections were firmly put in place.
He said, “The responsibility of building a united, strong and prosperous nation anchored on democratic principles lies on all of us collectively.
“We therefore charge all political parties, other relevant groups and all stakeholders in the electoral process to jettison all personal/group interests and put that of our nation and its people ahead of all.
“The future of our nation is determined by what we do or say at this point in time. We must therefore resolve to work together as patriotic citizens and join hands with INEC and relevant institutions of government to ensure credible, free and fair elections devoid of rancour and disagreements.
“At this point, what should be paramount is the well-being of our people and the survival of our dear nation and its democracy.
“We must therefore close ranks as brothers and sisters and resist the machinations of enemies of our country who do not wish us well.”
Metuh called on the political parties to redirect their energy to issues that promote national development, reinforce unity among Nigerians and engender mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.
Metuh said, “Nigeria is a great nation. We must appreciate the resilience of our people and their resolve to succeed.
“Indeed, we cannot afford to fail our citizens at this time of our national life. We must work hard to continue to ensure that the environment that contributed to the successes we have recorded is adequately maintained and enhanced”.
He also called on INEC to gird it loins and appreciate the fact that it was “saddled with an enormous responsibility and that “Nigerians expect nothing less than a transparent electoral process”.
Metuh said the commission should understand that “observations by stakeholders are not intended to castigate, weaken or destroy the electoral process but to assist in deepening democracy so that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be the ultimate winners”.
Also on Sunday, the National Auditor of the PDP, Adewole Adeyanju, advised INEC to allow eligible voters to use their Temporary Voter Cards during the elections.
Adeyanju advised INEC to commence the use of the Permanent Voter ‘ Cards during the bye elections that might arise from the March 28 and April 11 polls to test its card readers. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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all those 'oles" should return the money even if they are pardoned; we need it to develop our nation
ReplyDeleteThe looters the rules refuse federalism so we must break up in order to see progress. If the south east was allowed to leave when they wanted to you can imagine the progress they would have made by now. Nigeria is paradise for the corrupt and I is not designed to prosper.
ReplyDeleteI will suggest that the past thieves should be pardoned but must return all our stolen wealth. Henceforth, all thieves should be punished appropriately
ReplyDeleteIncluding buhari
ReplyDeleteCorrupt people should be very afraid now. There will be no place for criminals to hide when our new President comes. Leaders of uncompleted projects will see no peace and heart attack will be common among them.
ReplyDeleteWide imagination!!!. Good luck all the way!. Patriotic and silent achiever is what we need.
DeleteWide imagination!!!. Good luck all the way!. Patriotic and silent achiever is what we need.
DeleteBuhari should be sent to JAIL now if Nigerias wants to fight corruption. Nigerians wants GEJ.
Deletestory story. NE please tell this stupid tale to your hopeless children and grand children.
ReplyDeletevery soon tales by moonlight in Otuoke amumanu!!! #bringbackourgirls
DeleteGoodluck knows what he as done to Nigerians citizens but buhari will forgive him .
ReplyDeleteTruth, they say, is bitter. A fool threw away a knife that has injured him but his action is too late because the knife has done its worst. Now, it is dawn on our dear Presidency that Nigerians can no longer be fooled again, therefore resolved to tread a honourable way to mitigate against the wrath of the citizens after March 28th. Well, to err is human and to forgive is divine. I lean on the walls of those calling for the return of all the looted money to the Federation Account. Note, some opposition chieftains will not be spared in this onslaught to clean up the mess. We keep watching.
ReplyDeleteEverybody's scared of Buhari simply because of the way he handle corruption.
ReplyDeleteAs much as this will generate huddles, I still feel GMB should just let go of the past when he becomes president and let's move forward.
ReplyDeleteSo is like Nigerians have high expectations on this man Bokhari, if he wins this election unfortunately Nigerians will be disappointed if at all he wins.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to post comment here but it seems those idiot who speak shit about buhari and support Johnathan are from another planet... They are so senseless with the way they reason. What's good about Goodluck Jonathan??? Bunch of fool..... U better have a change of mind before Ogunlakaye kill u .
ReplyDelete