by ‘Jola Sotubo

According to the Presidency, the failed efforts to resolve the crisis tearing apart the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) should be blamed on the governors who now belong to a splinter group now referred to as the “New PDP”.

Stakeholders in the Presidency have stated that the peace moves being repeatedly made to end the PDP’s troubles were being frustrated by the seven “rebel governors”

A top Presidency official reportedly said that despite the fact that the President is in a reconciliatory mood, the rebel governors have refused to deal honestly with him and leaders of the party.

The official cited instances where the rebel governors would be invited to meetings but instead of attending they would divide themselves with some attending and others staying away.

The official gave as example the last peace process chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He said that when the meeting was on the verge of a breakthrough, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who stood for the dissenting governors said that he could not speak for his colleagues, stating  that he would have to go back and consult  them.

The official expressed fears the game plan could frustrate last night’s peace plan. He feared that not all the dissenting governors would attend which would be an excuse for decisions to be shelved so that the governors in attendance can go and consult their colleagues.

The official cited the last elders’ meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. He said that the rebel governors were represented by the Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to him,  like the Obasanjo meeting frustrated by Governor Amaechi, when the meeting was on the verge of a breakthrough, Governor Kwankwaso stood up and said that he wanted to visit the rest room and that was the last they heard from him.

Beyond the antics of the rebel governors, the National  Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has moved to clip the wings of Kwankwaso by sacking the Kano State Working Committee, SWC, that is loyal to the governor. Alhaji Tukur also yesterday asked an Ikeja High Court to commit factional chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and his executives to prison for violating a court order.

Meanwhile, as part of moves to resolve the deep-seated crisis in the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday met with former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and former National Chairman of the party, Dr Ahmadu Ali. The President also warned his aides to desist from attacking his critics.