Abuja — From the Peoples Demo-cratic Party (PDP) has come a clear message to governors within its fold nursing presidential ambition in 2011: President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua would run again and those possible contenders are merely "noise makers".

Also, the President waded into the long running battle between the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP and Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state by directing the National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, to reconcile opposing factions. The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Ahmed Alkali, literally chided governors elected on the party's platform for eyeing the President's seat. According to him, "those governors should know that this is not how PDP operates. There are guidelines that guide issues like this within the party. They are merely noisemakers." Five governors of the party - two from North-west, another two from North-east and one from North-central have reportedly indicated their interest to step into Yar'Adua's shoes, should he for any reason decide not to contest the 2011 presidential election.

The issue of whether the President would run again has been a subject of speculation following his well publicised ill-health. In fact, Yar'Adua had ordered the suspension of all 2011 presidential campaign during the Special Convention of the party, declaring it was unnecessary distraction. But a campaign group was put together Monday, removing the lid on the matter. The Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Harilu Mohammed Bello, had also drummed up support for the President. Earlier in the year, Bello said: "We shall offer him (Yar'Adua) a 100 per cent support when the time comes.

I can assure you that the PDP structures will afford him the second term when the time comes," he stated. Meanwhile, Yar'Adua has paid more than passing attention to the crisis-ridden Plateau State chapter of the party, which saw the NWC sacking the Prof. Dakum Shown-led executive. Last week, the President summoned Ogbulafor, the National Secretary, Abubakar Baraje, and the Deputy National Chairman, Bello, to the State House in Abuja over the issue. Governor Jang was also at the meeting. It was gathered that the President was not happy with the state of affairs in Plateau and other state chapters across the country. He therefore directed the party to resolve the crisis immediately. It was in connection with this presidential directive that the Ogbulafor-led NWC had a closed door meeting with Jang and some elders of the party from the state.

No member of the Ibrahim Mantu and Joshua Dariye groups was at the meeting, an indication that the gathering might have favoured Jang. Alkali described it as a "family affair" and refused to divulge details. Also yesterday, party members from Borno state stormed the National Secretariat of PDP in Abuja, protesting and chanting angry songs. "Borno will not be another Anambra," sang the furious party members. They warned of dire consequences if a candidate is imposed upon them. Specifically, they accused Ogbulafor of imposing the National Women Leader, Hajia Inna Ciroma, against the existing zoning arrangement in the state. They also accused him of attempting to remove from office all the 27 local government chairmen in the state, while describing the letter to that effect signed by the National Secretary, Baraje as "unconstitutional, illegal and designed to undermine the rising profile of PDP in Borno state." Meanwhile, Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State has said he is not nursing any ambition of becoming the president of Nigeria either now or in the future. Reacting to reports that he has been endorsed by the PDP NWC to replace Yar'Adua come 2011, Sambo said, "It is necessary that I tell Nigerians that I do not have any ambition of becoming a president in this country.

My ambition today is to continue to be loyal to Mr. President, to support him to achieve his seven-point agenda, that is my ambition. Insha Allah, I will do everything to ensure that we realise Mr. President's seven point agenda." Sambo, who was reported to have been tipped to replace Yar'Adua, described the report as the handiwork of fifth columnists. According to him, "At no time have I ever nursed the ambition to succeed Mr. President in whatever form neither has any such events ever taken place to the best of my knowledge. "I see the hand of fifth columnists in this episode and wish to dissociate myself entirely from the story and its contents," the governor said, stressing that "these are the mischievous and wicked acts by those that are envious of my absolute loyalty to Mr. President and the successes I have been achieving as the Governor of Kaduna State." The governor expressed confidence in the ability of Yar'Adua to "steer the mantle of leadership of this nation bestowed upon him by the Nigerian people, to faithfully accomplish his tenure of office and to further be re-elected in 2011 so as to complete the excellent works he has started."