Lagos — Ahead of the 2011 general election, reconcilation has finally been brokered between Nasarawa State governor, Aliyu Doma and his predecessor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu. Also involved in the reconciliation were former deputy governor of the state, Haliru Bala Usman and incumbent Minister of Works, Dr. Hassan Lawal and their team of supporters. The reconciliation took place recently on the auspices of Sallah Day Accord.

The reconcilation which was accompanied by huge excitement, was also boosted by the return of another political bigwig in the state, Chief Solomon Ewuga, to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As a result of the reconciliation between Doma and Adamu, which took place on the last Sallah day, political observers are of the opinion that the meeting was more than a mere festival affair, but rather an avenue to mend fence, chart a new course, strategise for 2011 election and renew hostile friendship and commitment to work together for the development of the state.

The four leaders who featured in the reconciliation, emphasized their determination to bring about closer ties and stability ahead of the forthcoming general election in the state.

A party man who declined to be named, described the Sallah peace accord as a "positive step to reactivate the strength of the party and realize a comprehensive victory come 2011."

During deliberations which took place at a lunch banquet, the three leaders reaffirmed their support for the governor's administration and called on all groups within the PDP to close ranks and work together in a bid to accelerate the governor's developmental programmes and simultaneously preserve the unity of the state. They also appealed to the people of Nasarawa State and sundry, to ensure their participation in all the political processes.

Speaking at the occasion, Works Minister, Lawal, who was the first to speak at the occasion, said since the assumption of duty by the governor, the state has continued to grow from strength to strength.

"There is a need for co-operation among all of us and the need for unity for all of us because no society, no community will ever develop without peace and unity. Peace and unity are not only expressed verbally nor are they written academically. It should be shown in practical forms. And for us to leave our homes and travel here to see you, to wish you well, is a practical expression of our solidarity and unity of purpose. We believe in Nasarawa.

"We believe that what is important especially the few of us who are privileged to be leaders in various capacities must show our followers and supporters of our great party that we are united and indeed, we are united. Only last week, His Excellency was in Abuja. He informed me that he was in town and immediately, I left all I was doing and went to pay my respect to him," Lawal said.

THISDAY checks revealed that Lawal, earlier in the year, was tipped to replace Doma in 2011 when the PDP was engulfed in series of disagreements between the governor and some influential party members. Lawal did never deny the insinuation and thus gave credence to the speculation. But with his visit to the state and complimentary remarks on the governor, the governor's chances of retaining his seat looked brighter.

The meeting also put to rest the perceived differences between Adamu and his successor, Doma, who had allegedly been engaged in a war of attrition. Although at several fora, Adamu had denied any ill feeling towards Doma, rumours kept flying that Adamu had dumped Doma and commenced the search for a more loyal candidate. This gave rise to the insinuation that Lawal had been positioned to replace Doma.

The Works Minister has been Adamu's protégé since the advent of democratic rule in 1999. His rise to prominence, affluence and influence was traced to Adamu to whom he has been 100 hundred per cent loyal.

The former university don was on three occasions nominated to take the state's slot for ministerial appointment which makes him one of the longest serving ministers in the country.

Although not so popular outside his Keffi domain, the support of Adamu and his royal background have enhanced Lawal's personality. Adamu at the Sallah day meeting, was quoted to have said that it was an opportunity for him to meet Doma whom he referred to as a brother.

"By joining him, we are indeed joining the people of Nasarawa State in celebration and thanksgiving to God Whose infinite mercy will give us the grace to live long enough to be of service to our people and to continue to witness days like this. It is also important that as we join you here, we ask God to make it possible for those of us who are privileged to be in positions of authority over our people not because we are better than them, smarter or more godly or better educated or have stronger roots than them, but because God in His infinite mercy has so designed that we provide leadership for this people."

He said he was also with Doma to demonstrate to the people the spirit of Eidel Kabir, to follow God's chosen leaders, to be of good counsel if we are privileged to be in their court, to give them good advice, to help them and to nurture them for the unity of the people that they are privileged to lead.

"As you occupy this exalted seat, you are by the people's legitimacy, their own king and all of us, your subjects. Unless we rally round our leadership, unless we are close enough, unless we give good advice, we cannot expect the leadership to succeed. And where we fail to advise, where we fail to encourage and the leader succumbs to negative tendencies, we have no right to blame the leader alone," he said.

Doma in his response to the comments of Adamu and Lawal, said he was delighted to see his elder brother, the former governor and his younger brother, the minister in Doma town. He described the visit as a unique one.

"It is unique in the sense that this is the first time that I am receiving the two of them at the same time and coincidentally, the chairman of the party and members of his executive council are here at the same time. I am delighted and I want to see that he who does not know will now know. I have now listened to the two distinguished citizens of Nasarawa State who spoke repeatedly on the need for co-operation, friendship, brotherhood and solidarity for the higher interest of the people of Nasarawa State.

"Yes. I am the executive governor of the state today, but before I came into these shoes, somebody had worn the shoes and that man knows where these shoes pinch. I think he knows it better than myself and therefore want to make it clear to those of us here and other brothers and sisters who are not here, that the solidarity between me and my predecessor (sic) is stronger than what most of you think. The understanding between me and my predecessor (sic) is more intimate than most of you think," the governor said, adding: "We have our own ways of doing things. We have our own styles of doing things. It is my hope that a good number of you, if not all, will appreciate the circumstance in which we found ourselves and therefore, I wish you people will try as much as possible to give us the opportunity to do our jobs."

Doma called on people to stop spreading rumours, but should rather pray for circumstances that will create misunderstanding among leaders, saying it is not helpful to elders.

"What you should do is to pray for us and the state. Pray for understanding among the elders, so that tomorrow can be better than today. I am happy for this opportunity to say what I have said. I feel relieved today and I want to assure that I will leave no stone unturned in promoting unity, solidarity, friendship and brotherhood among not only the elders, but the entire people of Nasarawa State."

The Sallah event coincided with the return of Ewuga to the PDP fold after decamping to the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) in 2007 following the manner he lost the party ticket to Doma.

There are feelers that Ewuga's return to the PDP was part of the Sallah day accord to pave way for a stronger and united PDP. An impeccable source told THISDAY that the main reason behind the meeting was to evolve a way of sharing elective positions without acrimony within the party in 2011.

He also disclosed that the background motive of the meeting was to endorse Doma for a second term in office and Adamu for the Senate to represent Nasarawa West. He added that the event also aimed at placating the aggrieved Ewuga with the North senatorial ticket of the state, while Lawal will continue to represent the state as a minister at the centre.