Jonathan’s meeting with Ciroma, others deadlocked

For the umpteenth time, the Friday night meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), led by Mallam Adamu Ciroma, was deadlocked. But the two camps might meet again before the end of the month on grey areas.

As part of the continuation of the February 18 dialogue between the two groups, Jonathan had met with top shots of the NPLF in Abuja including ex-President Ibrahim Babangida,  ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and others.

It was gathered that the meeting was essentially at the instance of the President to secure the backing of the Northern leaders for the April 9 presidential election.

The negotiation was however described by a reliable source as “still ding-dong.”

The source, who gave an  insight into Friday’s meeting said: “The report of the seven-man team raised on February 18 was considered with key issues revolving around three areas. These are dumping zoning to back Jonathan; power shift to the North in 2015 with concrete agreement; and concession of key appointments to the North to assuage its grievances.

“The Northern leaders also brought up more issues like the arrest and coercion of some secretariat staff of the NPLF. They protested against abridgment of the freedom of association and expression of these staff.

“The President took time to explain that he would never be a party to the arrest of anyone. He explained that he has kept faith with Nigerians by upholding the rule of law and tenets of democracy.

“There were assurances that such an ugly trend will not repeat itself.

“But after lengthy discussions, the NPLF leaders restated that they carried a burden on zoning policy and may find it difficult to abandon agitation for this as far as 2011 poll is concerned.

“They said they were being careful in making a decision to back Jonathan so that it would not be a precedent that they have dumped zoning for good.

“The Northern leaders however told Jonathan that after 2015, power must return to the North and that he should go and make a pronouncement. They also demanded an agreement to that effect.

“They are demanding agreement so that they will be sure that Jonathan will actually spend a term in office. Some of them also claimed to have noticed that the President had been reneging on some pronouncements and they do not want some sycophants to prevail on him in 2015 to renege on power shift to the North.

“But Jonathan hesitated and said he cannot make the pronouncement before the elections. I think the President was cautious on this commitment because of the agitation by the South-East for presidency in 2015.

“Also, the President wanted the NPLF leaders to make categorical statement to back him for the April poll to lay to rest all doubts about the North’s support. He also pledged to be fair to the North with some appointments.

“Yet, the Northern leaders were also not forthcoming because of the likely backlash from Northerners.

“I think they have made up their mind not to dump zoning. They however sought for more time for consultations. They are going to meet with the President again before the month runs out.

“It is like keeping the President guessing till the last minute. I think the Northern leaders are anticipating a presidential poll run-off to have far-reaching agreement with the President.”