How Jonathan met Atiku in Yola

Fresh facts have emerged on how
President Goodluck Jonathan met
former Vice President Atiku
Abubakar in Yola, Adamawa State,
on Monday night.
It was learnt in Abuja on Tuesday
that the President, in company with
some of his security personnel and
aides, paid an unscheduled visit to
Abubakar’s private residence.
The PUNCH learnt that the
President arrived at the former VP’s
residence a few minutes to
midnight at a time his guest had
already retired for the day.
Abubakar’s security team, made up
of policemen and private guards,
were said to have been jolted into
action when they saw the long
convoy of vehicles from the
presidential fleet.
Abubakar’s aides were said to have
recognised some of the people in
the President’s team before
sighting the vehicle conveying
Jonathan.
It was learnt that the President’s
advance party merely confirmed
that the former Vice President was
at home and relayed their findings
to the President before he set out
for the meeting.
Abubakar’s men were said to have
been confused about how to wake
up their principal. A close family
member was said to have been
contacted to undertake the task,
which he did without an incident.
A member of the ex-VP team, who
was privy to the encounter,
explained that after the exchange
of pleasantries, the two men went
into a closed session.
He said, “The Turakin Adamawa was
surprised by the visit largely due to
the fact that, one, he was not
expecting it.
“Two, long before Vice President
Atiku left the PDP finally, the
President had asked for audience
with him in his Asokoro residence,
in Abuja, prompting him to cancel
all engagements only for the
President to stand him up without
even the courtesy of an
explanation or an apology.
“This time around, the President
chose to make it a surprise visit.
Well, from what transpired it is
glaring that Atiku is not buying any
of Jonathan’s explanations or
proposals.”