The aggrieved governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known as G5, are in dilemma over its choice of a presidential candidate.
The G5, comprises the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; and Enugu State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The governors unwilling to support their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar urged Iyorchia Ayu to resign as the PDP National Chairman.
Also read: Again, Wike, allies regroup in Spain for jaw-jaw
After the marathon strategic meetings in London with the opposition, the face of the G5, Governor Nyesom Wike is said to have “angrily” departed the United Kingdom (UK) for Madrid, Spain, to watch Real Madrid match this weekend.
It was gathered that Ikpeazu and Ortom suggested that they remain neutral as supporting any other candidate except their party’s candidate will spell doom for them in PDP.
Recall that Messrs Ikpeazu and Ortom are the Abia South Senatorial district and Benue North-West Senatorial candidates respectively of the PDP while Makinde would go for a second term bid.
A suspension or expulsion for anti-party activities will ruin their tickets in respect of the 2023 election.
A reliable source revealed that while it was true that Makinde and Wike shared the same view that they should support the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ikpeazu and Ortom differed.
Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are contesting senatorial elections in their respective states, whereas Wike has no immediate political interest except for his associates in Rivers state.
G-5 in Dilemma
The G-5 Governors under the aegis of the Integrity Group, are leaving no stone unturned in driving home their grievances ahead of the 2023 general election.
According to a close source who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity yesterday, the G-5 Governors are rooting for either the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or the flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi as their preferred choice.
Recall that at a private meeting of three of the aggrieved governors with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, he asked the G-5 to support Obi because no Igbo candidate has been elected president.
“Before they left, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was already out of their equation. Both Atiku’s running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and Governor Emmanuel Udom did not succeed in prevailing on the G-5 to support the PDP candidate.”
“They claimed that Okowa and Udom are parts of the problem in PDP because they refused to abide by the decision of the Southern governors on power shift to the South.”
“They have drawn the battle lines with Atiku. They have foreclosed any reconciliation. They will now meet at the poll to settle political scores.”
“The G-5 governors have to choose between Tinubu and Obi. They have to consider all options, including the consideration of who has the strength or figures to defeat Atiku in the presidential poll.”
“It is no longer about sentiments, but facing the reality on whose figures can add up to win the poll for power shift to the South, which is their ultimate objective.”
