Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has defended the controversial decision by the G5 governors to work against their own party during the 2023 presidential elections, claiming their actions prevented Nigeria from descending into chaos.
Speaking to members of the 'Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP' from across Nigeria on Monday, Wike maintained that the G5 governors have no regrets about their decision to oppose the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
"You may like us, you may hate us; the truth is if G5 did not take our decision, this country would have been in crisis," Wike stated. "It doesn't matter who the beneficiary was, but the right thing had to be done, and we still stand by that decision."
The G5 Controversy Explained
The G5, a group of five PDP governors led by then-Rivers State Governor Wike, included Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). During the 2023 election campaign, they refused to support Atiku Abubakar, their party's presidential candidate.
Their primary grievance centered on what they described as a violation of the PDP's North-South zoning arrangement. The G5 insisted that after President Muhammadu Buhari's eight years in office, the presidential candidate should have emerged from the South rather than the North, where Atiku hails from.
This internal rebellion significantly contributed to the PDP's electoral defeat, as Wike and his colleagues openly supported Bola Tinubu, the southern candidate of the All Progressives Congress, who eventually won the presidency.
No Regrets Over Decision
In his address, Wike emphasized that the G5's actions were guided by principle rather than personal gain. "We have continued to emphasise that the party's constitution and that of the country should be respected," he said.
The FCT Minister further suggested that the PDP's current challenges stem from ignoring the G5's warnings: "If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn't have been where we are today."
Wike concluded his remarks by advising PDP leaders to stop acting with impunity, implying that the party's internal governance issues remain unresolved.
The minister's comments come at a time when the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions following its defeat in the 2023 elections, raising questions about the party's future direction and leadership.
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