Top Northern leaders met secretly on Thursday on the 2011 polls and the need to stick to the existing zoning formula which has ceded power to the region for eight years.
The meeting, which was held at a secret location in Abuja, had ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in attendance.
Investigation by The Nation revealed that the leaders met for about six hours while President Goodluck Jonathan was on a one-day visit to Oyo State.
Although the reaction of the presidency could not be ascertained, a reliable source indicated that security agencies were looking into the motive behind the meeting.
It was, however, gathered that the Northern leaders expressed reservations about plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to review the zoning formula in view of speculations that President Jonathan will run for president in 2011.
Findings revealed that the leaders felt that it would be in the interest of Nigeria’s unity for power to remain in the North from 2011 to 2015 in line with the zoning formula of the ruling party.
But the leaders opted to dialogue with their Southern counterparts on why the presidency must remain in the North.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "I am aware that the leaders met and resolved that the North must serve its eight-year term in office as zoned in 2007.
"They insisted that the nation must preserve the zoning arrangement. They said it is in the interest of Nigeria if the zoning formula follows its natural course.
"The meeting pointed out that of all prominent Nigerians, it is only ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo who is saying that there is no written agreement on zoning.
"They also decided to impress on all groups and power blocs in the country that zoning is not a Northern agenda but a Nigerian agenda in view of the need to preserve the nation’s unity."
It was learnt that the leaders also opted to reach out to all groups in the South on why the North must complete its eight-year tenure.
The source added: "The leaders agreed to work with their allies in the South to make sure that the zoning formula is preserved in favour of the North.
"Babangida, Atiku and a few others have been mandated to liaise with their friends and leaders in the South to appreciate the position of the Northern leaders.
"I think very soon, Northern leaders will be meeting with their Southern counterparts for dialogue."
According to investigation, although some Northern emirs have backed the campaign of Northern leaders to retain power in the region in 2011, they tactically avoided the meeting.
It was also confirmed that top government officials from the North stayed away from the meeting but they reportedly gave their covert gave backing to the discussion.
Another source said: "This is why the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), Gen. Theophillus Danjuma, who is technically in government, did not take part in the meeting.
"Danjuma had in confidence advised against tinkering with the zoning formula which had been in place since 1999. He had also cautioned President Jonathan against running for the president in 2011."
At press time, the list of the well-attended session was kept under wraps.
A highly-placed source added: "I think some Northerners like ex-Minister of Finance, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma; Alhaji Shettima Monguno; ex-Minister Iyorchia Ayu and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh, were expected at the meeting based on the invitation list.
"But I cannot actually give you a comprehensive list of those at the secret meeting."
Ex-Vice President Abubakar had on May 6 warned against moves to alter the zoning formula.
Responding to a question on BBC Newshour, he said: "Obviously yes, to have a political balance and equilibrium in the country. It has always been like that. Power has always been shared between the North and the South in one form or the other.
"Well, yes, I am aware of that agreement (zoning formula). I was a party to it, it exists and I expect that the party will implement that policy and if the party decides not to implement it, then it will also have to meet and review it."
Asked if the party stands by the agreement that Jonathan will stay out of the 2011 race, the ex-Vice-President said: "That is the understanding definitely."
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