The two major groups on the two sides of the political divides working for and against the entrenchment of zoning in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party yesterday called on the party to expeditiously resolve the issue of zoning in the interest of the country and the party.

At the end of a meeting of the two groups in Abuja Thursday night, the groups; Northern Political Leaders Forum and the northern summit group resolved to pursue agenda their individual agenda with decorum and without rancor in the interest of the country and the region.

The groups’ position which was jointly read by Buhari Bala and Basir Ibrahim for the Northern Summit Group and Northern Political Leaders forum group resolved that the separate agenda of the groups could be pursued without any rancor.

They also jointly called on the Peoples Democratic Party to take a position on the zoning in order to reduce the tension in the country and provide a direction for the country’s political system.

The two groups had met yesterday at the Protea hotel to find a common ground on the individual position of the two major groups working for and against theretention of zoning in the party.

It would be recalled that the two groups from the northern part of the country who are on opposing side of the debate on whether or not the zoning arrangement contained in the Peoples  Democratic Party’s constitution should be sustained met on Thursday  night to reach  a common ground in the over all interest of the north.

The groups, the  Northern Summit (NS) which is in favour of the retention of the zoning arrangement and led by former minister of Information, Jerry Gana  and Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) whjich include former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangidamet in Abuja on Thursday night to find a common ground on their positions.

It would be recalled that  last week  Professor Jerry Gana_led Northern Summit promised to  extend an olive branch to the Adamu Ciroma_led Northern Political Leaders Forum which is in favour of retention of zoning.

Thursday’s meeting , it was gathered was to commence discussions on the need for the northern region to go into the 2011 elections a  united  house.

A source at the meeting  told weekend vanguard that  it would be expanded to include other political groups in the north with a view to fighting on the same keel  The meeting which took off at  about 9pm Thursday evening  had in  attendance on the Jerry Gana_led team Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed,
Senator Isaih Ballat, Ibrahim Ida, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Shehu Malami, Solomon Lar and Hassan Adamu.

On the side of the Ciroma group are Lawal Keita, MD Yusuf, Tanko Yakassai, Yahaya Kwande.

Alhaji Lawal Kaita who had come out of the meeting shortly told reporters that  he was taking a break just for 15 minutes. He refused to comment on the meeting but said “the meeting is going on smoothly and we are having frank discussions.”