Amaechi: Jonathan Rallies PDP Leaders

President Goodluck Jonathan is today moving to check cracks in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, arising from the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State from the party at a dinner for senior officials and members of the party.
The move by the president is coming as Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, described as disgraceful the conduct of some of his colleagues following the election of Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF. He tendered an apology to Nigerians on the issue.
The development came as some activists on the occasion of Democracy Day called for the abrogation of the NGF saying that it had become a waste to citizens governed by the governors. News of today’s dinner to be hosted by the president was given in a notice issued by the national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh.
Admission into the dinner couched as a “family dinner” is, however, strictly by invitation to party members who are expected to call two telephone numbers 08072579776, 08033145661 contained in the notice.
The president it was learnt is expected to use the dinner rouse party faithful to be steadfast and loyal to the party leadership in the face of increasing attacks from the opposition. It could not be confirmed if the president would mention the latest crisis arising from the suspension of Governor Amaechi from the party, but the issue is, however, expected to cast a large spectre at the meeting given increasing questions on the procedure used in the suspension of the governor without a hearing.
Senior party figures apparently not willing to be caught in the crossfire were, yesterday, escaping discussion on the matter. Nevertheless, Governor Fashola has expressed disappointment over the turn out of the issue and apologised to Nigerians.
Reacting to a question from the audience during an interactive broadcast on Lagos Television to mark his sixth anniversary in office, Fashola said: “I am not proud of what is happening with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF. I feel bad about it and as a governor, I should apologise to Nigerians over the way the election issue has been handled. We are sorry.”