Why Presidency played down the fact that APC governors shunned - TopicsExpress

Why Presidency played down the fact that APC governors shunned security meeting with President Jonathan The security meeting for the resolution of Boko Haram menace was actually shunned by APC governors, but the Presidency opted for statesmanship by offering explanation on why the APC governors did not attend. It will be recalled that the invitations sent out on Tuesday and Wednesday on all national media included all governors and stakeholders. The Announcement by the Presidential Media Adviser, Dr Reuben Abati stated that the President would meet with security chiefs and Ministers by 11am on Thursday, while the President would meet with all governors by 1pm. Yesterday, the APC governors though in Abuja resolved with their party leaders not to meet with the President based on partisan conflict with the PDP. Observant Nigerians recalled that the non PDP governors of Anambra and Ondo attended because the invitations were sent to them and APC colleagues. The APC governors hinged their non participation on an alleged anonymous call from the office of the Presidents Chief of Staff to the Kwara state governor. The other governors got no calls, and the APC governors made no formal attempt to reach the Presidency to know whether the meeting was postponed. Scan News gathered from sources close to the Presidency that the decision was taken not to escalate the political tension that is affecting security in the country. It was on that premise that the Presidency permitted the chairman, PDP governors forum, Godswill Akpabio to provide an avenue of escape for the erring APC governors. It was gathered that the President clearly stated that the government was not interested in making political advantage over the alleged misadventure of the APC governors. The meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday next to leave room to APC to have no excuses. Nigerians would watch closely to see if the APC governors will attend the meeting. Adetokunbo Pearce, a political analyst, urged the APC governors to attend the next meeting.