Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have rejected what they see as a plot by some of their colleagues to impose a presidential candidate on the party.
Instead, the governors have offered to meet with the 12 presidential aspirants this week.
They are expected to reiterate their commitment to free and fair primaries.
The Nation reports that the governors, who met in Abuja on Sunday night, were said to have discovered that “one or two” of them had “ulterior agenda” to impose a candidate on the party.
It was learnt that the governors also came up with the idea of a consensus candidate, but others claimed it was too early to decide that.
The BoT is canvasing consensus, saying the number of candidate is high.
A governor, who spoke in confidence with The Nation, said: “We had a stormy session because we have one or two among us without an open mind. They are working to the answer for one candidate.
“We know these governors and in the fullness of time, we will expose them before they destroy our party and ruin its chances in 2019.
“Most of us said anybody working with agenda contrary to free and fair process will be resisted. We said we will like a fair game because PDP must get it right this time around.
“So, anybody with ulterior agenda is deceiving himself. No PDP governor or governors can force a process on us. We want the party to put the best candidate forward.
“Most of us believe that once the process is transparent and fair, those who may lose out will feel free to support whoever emerges as PDP candidate.”
The governors will meet with the 12 presidential aspirants before the end of this week to, according to another governor, “reassure them of our commitment to equity, fairness and justice”.
The source went on: “We also seek to appeal to the aspirants to play the game in a fair manner which will keep PDP intact. They should see themselves as members of the same family.
“The governors will also like to hear suggestions from the aspirants on the forthcoming primaries because Nigerians are looking forward to us to get it right.
“If at the end of the day the aspirants have a common ground, we will respect their mutual decision.”
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