More than one year after it suddenly impounded a private jet belonging to the Rivers State Government at the height of the war between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the Federal Government has quietly released it in a bid to woo Amaechi ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

“Yes, it is true; the Federal Government has returned the plane to the Rivers State Government,” a source close to the Rivers State Government House told News Express this morning.

The source would not go into details, but a story in Vanguard has it that the Bombardier BD 700 Global Express Jet was released in the hope that the gesture would make Amaechi to support Jonathan’s re-election bid.

The plane had arrived Nigeria in October 2012 but was grounded in April last year by aviation authorities over allegation of irregularities in its registration and operations in the country.

Vanguard said that the Rivers State government is, however, to pay N11 million as fine for the alleged offence.

It disclosed that the Presidency has also approved that the Rivers State Government should bring in two armoured helicopters procured by the administration in Port Harcourt to enhance security.

“Should he take the bait, Governor Amaechi, it was learnt, would enjoy the benefit of influencing the emergence of his successor in office,” the paper reported.

It said that the deal could also allow Amaechi to remain in All Progressives Congress (APC) but support the President’s re-election bid, in which case the Presidency would push to ensure the emergence of his chosen successor.

The reconciliation was reportedly spearheaded by close mutual associates of Jonathan and Amaechi, who had been working round the clock since the two men parted ways almost two years ago.