30th October, 2014
President Goodluck Jonathan appeared worried and on Wednesday summoned an emergency meeting of prominent PDP members to forge a line of action.
Tambuwal had on Tuesday announced his defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress to contest the governorship election in his home state of Sokoto. He also adjourned the House to 3 December.
On Wednesday as the PDP big guns gathered in Aso Rock, lamenting his departure from their party, Tambuwal got a celebrity reception at the special convention of the APC. Called to speak, he swore in the name of God, that by May 2015, the APC would have swept the PDP out of office.
The PUNCH reported that the meeting of the PDP leaders in Aso Rock came hours after the House said the PDP, individuals and groups condemning the defection of the speaker to the All Progressives Congress should not dictate to it on how to conduct its affairs.
In attendance were the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha; the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor; and a member from Delta State, Ndudi Elumelu, in attendance.
Some PDP governors such as Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa): Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) were also part of the meeting, according to PUNCH.
Top government officials who attended the parley included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN).
“The issue of the Speaker and his exit was one of the fundamental issues discussed at the meeting,” he said.