CASTING SPELLS FOR JONATHAN'S 2015 AMBITION : 2015: Ex-Presidents, Others To Meet Obasanjo, Babangida Over Jonathan.... TheNation

The political intrigues ahead of 2015 general elections continue as the Presidency, in what could be described as a last minute ditch effort to woo aggrieved chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has resolved to send a delegation of former Heads of State and Presidents, amongst others, to meet with ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, over the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

A very reliable source told The Nation that the move, which also enjoys the backing of the national leadership of the ruling party, was a fall-out of a recent meeting of some elder statesmen with the President few hours after the last Council of State meeting in Abuja.
“The move, an attempt to garner vital support for Jonathan, involves begging and seeking the forgiveness of former Presidents Obasanjo and Babangida for President Jonathan.

The idea was mooted after some eminent members of the Council of State met and discussed with the President over recent actions and inactions of some Council members ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Following observations that some former leaders, including Obasanjo and Babangida have, in recent times kept their distance from the presidency, it was resolved that a delegation be sent to them to curry their support for the current administration,” our source said.

The Nation however, learnt that President Jonathan has approved the setting up of a committee of five, comprising three former leaders; Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan; the Senate President, David Mark and the national chairman of the ruling party, Adamu Muazu, to reach out to the two statesmen on his behalf.

While Obasanjo was at the last Council of State meeting, Babangida, who returned to the country a few days before the meeting, after months of recuperating abroad, was absent.
“Though Obasanjo attended the last meeting, it was obvious to all those present that his presence was out of mere routine. He is known to be very critical of the Jonathan administration. For Babangida, his silence and inaction over matters relating to the current administration is even more worrisome to the presidency.”

While the committee is expected to talk Obasanjo into reducing his criticism of Jonathan’s government in the months leading to the next presidential election, it is being hoped that it will succeed in getting Babangida to throw his weight behind the president’s re-election bid.
“It is not good for Jonathan’s 2015 ambition that someone of Obasanjo’s calibre is opposed to him. Also, Babangida is not known to have endorsed or support Jonathan’s re-election bid up till now. These are the task being given to the committee in the interest of the country,” our source added.

The Nation also learnt that the President was told that some credible reports at the disposal of Council members does not favour his re-election bid largely because of the frosty relationship between him and some prominent party chieftains across the country.

Also, findings by our correspondent revealed that the fear of the likes of Obasanjo, Babangida and Danjuma joining forces with the Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to confront the ruling PDP in the 2015 presidential election, is top amongst the reasons why the presidency agreed that the delegation should be sent out to make amends.

The Nation.