Despite the reported decision by President Muhammadu Buhari not to meet with members of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), the Presidency has assured that he may yet have a session with them at the conclusion of the ongoing talks with the faction.
A report had emerged on Monday that Buhari would have nothing to do with the nPDP since their issue was a party matter.
But that position seemed to shift a bit on Tuesday when a top Presidency source revealed that the president’s meeting with the group has not be foreclosed.
The source who pleaded anonymity reiterated that Buhari has decided not to meet with the aggrieved party members in order not to be seen to be interfering with party matters.
However, it pointed out that the issue was already being addressed at top Presidency level with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo leading the discussion.
The source affirmed that Osinbajo has the blessing of the president who was expected to be briefed by the Vice President at the end of the talks.
It added that before then, the president will not intervene out of respect for the party.
The source said: “A process has begun, with the party talking to those feeling estranged. The meeting has risen to the level of the Vice President. This is expected to continue.
“At the culmination of these meetings, the President will obviously be briefed.
“Before that point is reached, the President will not meddle or interfere.
“He is staying above it all, not arising from arrogance or snubbing anyone.
“The President expects that the due process should be observed in all situations and that is what he is doing.”
Members of nPDP broke out from the former ruling party to align with the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) to win the 2015 general election.
It has in its rank the likes of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).
The group, which had recently complained of being marginalized in the APC, issued an ultimatum to President Buhari to meet with them but the meeting never materialized.