PDP Crisis: Jonathan, Anenih meet rival PDP governors

Both factions to meet again on October 7.
Leaders of the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, met on Sunday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The late night meeting was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan and attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih.
The meeting was attended by the seven governors in the new PDP faction led by Abubakar Baraje including Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Abdulfattah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).
Two governors from the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP- Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Idris Wada (Kogi)- were also in attendance.
At the end of the meeting, the two factions were urged to desist from uttering further inflammatory statements capable of widening the divide while efforts are ongoing to resolve the crisis.
The meeting, held at the First Lady’s conference room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, ended with both parties agreeing to convene again on October 7.
After the meeting, Messrs Jonathan, Sambo, Amaechi, Aliyu, Kwankwaso, and Anenih briefed the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on the outcome of the meeting.
“All parties have undertaken to commence immediate actions and agreed towards a complete resolution of all matters and to continue to meet until all processes towards full reconciliation are concluded. The meeting will continue on Monday, October 7, 2013,” Mr. Aliyu said.
“Leaders and stakeholders and the governors of Adamawa, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Kogi and Cross River states met with the president, the Vice President and the chairman of the board of trustees and extensively deliberated on various issues over a three day period.
“The discussions were cordial and fruitful with a clear commitment on both sides to resolve all the issues raised at the meetings, the meeting also called on all parties to sheath their swords and avoid further inflammatory comments on all issues, particularly during the course of our deliberations as efforts are being made to resolve all differences.
“We use this opportunity, therefore, to thank all members of our party and supporters for the patience and understanding,” he added.
Meanwhile, the first crack in the rank of the Baraje-led PDP emerged on Sunday as the National Treasurer of the faction, Tanko Gwamna, resigned from its National Working Committee.
Mr. Gwamna also pledged his loyalty to Mr. Tukur, saying the current impasse did not augur well of the development of the party.
In a statement made available to journalists, Mr. Gwamna said he arrived at his decision after studying the unfolding events in the polity and a deep sober reflection of the consequences of the outcome of such impasse on the party.
He noted that as a lover of democracy, he is of the belief that the current impasse will not augur well for unity, peace, progress and prosperity of the PDP and Nigeria.
In the statement, Mr. Gwamna enjoined PDP supporters nationwide to unite and ensure the amicable resolution of the current impasse.
it was written by Talatu Usman and brought to you by Michael Naku.