VP: Jonathan meets former heads of state – I’ll adjust to any position – Yayale

Weekly Trust learnt yesterday that governors, PDP national leaders and opinion leaders were already mounting pressure on Jonathan to consider their candidates in his choice of Vice President.  

Weekly Trust learnt that consultations began Thursday shortly after Jonathan took over the mantle of leadership as president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force of Nigeria.

But while the nation is still mourning, politicians  are busy strategizing to adjust to the new power change in the country. Sources in the presidency told an online news agency that Jonathan would send the name of his nominee to the National Assembly on Monday for approval.

In line with the campaign, Jonathan met yesterday with former heads of state like, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and Chief Ernest Shonekan, who said were in the State House to condole with him on the death of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting Gowon, said their mission was twofold, first to condole with Jonathan on the death of Yar’adua and also congratulate him on his emergence as President and Commander – in – Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But sources said they dueled on the vice president position. He  said the group also advised Jonathan to concentrate on electoral reform for credible elections in 2010.

But the former leaders were not alone, state governors were also at the Villa and held a closed-door meeting with Jonathan. The governors led by the Chairman of the Governors Forum and Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki met Jonathan in the open before going into a closed-door session.

Also seen at the State House yesterday was the PDP National Chairman Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who led the National Working Committee of the party  to a closed-door meeting with Jonathan.

But Yayale, in his response to the speculation, said he was ready adjust to change that may come. Yayale said even though he was not aware of the nomination, he would not allow himself to be distracted. “I am not aware of anything; my policy in life is that if I am in a position, I justify the position I am in because that what God has asked me to do. Any other position I do not think of it when it comes whether higher or lower I adjust,” Yayale said.