Abuja — FREEDOM for detained leader of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Asari Dokubo, may be around the corner as President Umaru Yar'Adua is said to be considering his release on health ground.

The President met for over three hours yesterday with the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States in his office, with the issue of peace in the Niger Delta topping the agenda.

Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State, who addressed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting said the Niger Delta Stakeholders' Forum, which was scheduled for yesterday had been rescheduled. He, however, did not give the date for the meeting.

According to him, the meeting with the president, his deputy and the three governors of the Niger Delta states of Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa discussed the general security of the area and how best to ensure peace.

On the issue of peace in the region, he said: "I think we are going to see some improvements because we have put a few thoughts together and I believe with some commitments to the solution of this problem, we should be able to see some difference."

Speaking on the achievements recorded during the Obasanjo administration, the governor said: "Government is a continuum. The past administration did some discussions and we are following up on these discussions. So, the past administration did not just waste its time. We are still going to follow up on the job the past administration did."

On Asari Dokubo, Sylva said: "Well, they have been making a lot of demands. And of course Asari Dokubo right now is not feeling too well. From what we heard, he is sick, and they are just trying to demand his release on the basis of health, which I think is okay. Yes, we discussed that and I think there is progress being made there too."