The ongoing peace talks on the crisis rocking Nigeria's ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may suffer a setback following plans by ex-President Ibrahim Babangida to pull out of the mediation over threats from a former Niger Delta warlord, Mujaheedin Asari-Dokubo.
Gen. Babangida reportedly described Asari-Dokubo’s threats as insulting to eminent leaders on the seven-man panel headed by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Asari-Dokubo at the weekend had threatened violence should President Jonathan be stopped from contesting in 2015.
There was, however, pressure on Gen. Babangida last night to have a rethink. Also, barring last-minute change of mind, some members of the Kawu Baraje faction of the PDP may be expelled from the party by the Bamanga Tukur faction. The Tukur faction may dissolve State Executive Committees of the PDP in five states and hand the party structures to those loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan.
The states are Kwara, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Adamawa.
Babangida is said to be uncomfortable that while eminent leaders were making peace, Asari-Dokubo was threatening violence. A top source, who spoke in confidence with The NATION correspondent Monday night, said: “Babangida was upset by the alleged reckless comments from Asari Dokubo. He was also shocked that no one has called the ex-militant leader to order.
“The former Head of State may pull out of the ongoing peace talks instead of allowing anyone to mess up his efforts. There is however pressure on him to ignore Asari-Dokubo’s threats or comments because he is not one of the parties to PDP crisis. The next 24 to 48 hours may determine Babangida’s position.”
Some members of the Kawu Baraje faction may be expelled from the party by the Bamanga Tukur faction. This is one of the major highlights of the report of the Political Committee, one of the secret committees raised by the President. It was learnt that the report of the political committee was ready last night.
The President raised three committees last Thursday before travelling to Kenya on a state visit. The committees (Political, Legal and Contact) were given advisory task on how the presidency should contain the aggression of the G-7 governors and the Kawu Baraje faction.
A source said: “The other measures recommended by the committee include an X-ray of the activities of the disloyal members in the states and possible expulsion of some of those indicted in the factionalisation of the PDP."
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