A fresh worry gripped presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo had, in the last one week, dissolved the executive council of the party in Abia and Ogun, while  it was gathered that there was a threat to dissolve more in favour of some forces within the party.

A source said that Nwodo is now being examined as either a hero or a villain for the Jonathan cause, especially in view of the apparent commitment of the president to contest the 2011 election.

A source close to the government apparatus said on Saturday that the PDP governors cannot be seen as Jonathan’s enemies. “He (the president) was once a governor and he knows the feelings among the state chief executives. He is determined to work closely with them and does not want a situation whereby he will be painted as an enemy of the governors,” the source said.

It was further learnt that Nwodo may also be in talks with Abubakar Atiku.

The alliance started immediately the former national secretary of the party emerged the National Chairman in June.

It was gathered that the Atiku camp was relieved when Nwodo emerged, because of what some observers said was their long standing relationship.

Nwodo also made the resolution of the crisis in the Adamawa State chapter of the party a point of priority when he emerged chairman, He had recently given marching orders to the state chapter of the party to implement a peace plan, which is believed to be in Atiku’s favour.

Some stakeholders in the party are also said to be worried about the rapport between the national chairman and the former vice president and have started taking more than passing interests in the activities and interactions of the duo.

But it was gathered that discussions between Atiku and Nwodo have centred on how the national chairman can yield the PDP platform in Adamawa to the former vice president to bolster his political aspiration ahead of the 2011 election.

While Nwodo is said to have assured the former number two man of the PDP platform in Adamawa, Atiku was said to have specifically demanded the immediate removal of the executive for blocking his entry into the party. The PDP chairman is, however, said to be watching the body language of President Jonathan in handling the Atiku/Adamawa PDP matter.

“So far, the president has not said a word to Nwodo on how to handle the Adamawa matter. “The chairman has been trying to read Jonathan’s lips but the president believes that once the decision has been made to guarantee internal democracy in the party, no one should contravene that creed without serious repercussions,” a source close to the administration said on Saturday.

It was also gathered that the camp of General Ibrahim Babangida has also been watching the activities of Nwodo as regards the perceived alliance with Atiku.

A source close to the camp said that the Minna General would point the attention of appropriate authorities if he noticed any anomaly in their relationship.

Governor Murtala Nyako and the PDP leaders in Adamawa have so far resisted Atiku’s return, even though he has announced his decision to quit the Action Congress (AC) and return to his former party, the PDP.

The former vice president is due to announce his intention to contest the Presidency next Sunday at a media event in Abuja.

Spokesman of the PDP national chairman, Mr. Ike Abonyi said on Saturday that there are many speculations about the activities of his boss and that the alliance with Atiku is one of such.

He stated in a text message: “There are many speculations about the my oga, this one is one of them. That cannot be true.”

Those opposed to Atiku’s return have insisted that the former vice president and his loyalists would have to join the queue of other contestants already established in the party if they are to be accommodated. They are also saying that the former vice president and his men may not enjoy waivers, which could enable them contest political offices on the party’s platform.

A peace option drawn up by Nwodo specifically mandated the Adamawa PDP to accommodate Atiku and his loyalists.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said on Saturday that he has not had any secret or private meetings with the PDP chairman.

The former VP, who spoke through his media adviser, Mallam Garba Shehu said the best he has seen of Nwodo remains in public glare.

He said, “the former Vice President has debunked any secret interact with the PDP chairman. He stated clearly that he has not had any private or secret meeting with the chairman and does not intend to hold one,” Shehu said.

Meanwhile, National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said the party would treat state governors with record of good performances with respect while looking forward for their re-election in 2011.

Nwodo said, any governor who performed well will get the backing of the ruling party in their preparations to return to power in 2011.

The PDP National Chairman described functional governors as assets to the party, stressing “Such governors are asset to the party and must be given all the necessary support as they fit into the PDP’s re-engineering aimed at restoring its old glory.”

Dr. Nwodo said that the party will stand behind any governor whose performance in delivery of democracy dividends to the people meet the PDP manifesto.

He made the remarks at the fund raising and foundation laying ceremony of the Katsina PDP State Secretariat in Katsina.

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