Date Published: 04/27/10

Don't drag my name into 2011 premature permutations, Jonathan warns his party men ...Condemns early campaigns

Goodluck Jonathan

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday warned members of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), not to drag his name into premature permutations for 2011, just as he condemned early campaigns by some members .

The Acting President also urged warring factions in the party to sheathe their swords and close ranks in the interest of peace.

Jonathan made his feelings on current developments within the PDP known in a statement from his spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro.

The statement was released just before the Acting President headed to the PDP national headquarters for a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee.

Condemning the early campaigns, Jonathan also warned that he would not tolerate any plan to drag his name into the matter, in a bid to cause problems in the polity.

The statement reads in part, “He (Jonathan) decried a situation where some persons were already positioning for the 2011 elections, even when an electoral time table is yet to be released.

“He warned that he would not tolerate a situation where his name is dragged into these premature permutations with a deliberate intent to heat up the polity.”

Calling for peace in the party, the statement said, “Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has asked all contending groups within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to close ranks in the interest of peace within the party, and the nation at large.

“Jonathan expressed concern that the party is gradually drifting towards intractable crisis, and called on all leaders of the PDP to sheath their swords and desist from acts that can complicate an already difficult situation.”

Jonathan also warned that the party’s rules must be respected in order to avoid anarchy.

Quoting the Acting President, the statement said, “Our great party is governed by a constitution, just as our country is governed by laws. We must abide by the laws and articles of association that hold us together. To do otherwise is to court anarchy.”

Before leaving for the NEC meeting, Jonathan met with the party’s embattled National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, in his office.

Ogbulafor is currently facing corruption charges, and his position had also come under threat in recent times.

A former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, also met with Jonathan in the Presidential Villa before the NEC meeting.