Nyesom Wike, The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has claimed that the actions of the G5 governors during the 2023 general election were crucial in stabilising Nigeria and averting potential post-election crisis.
Wike, who led the group of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, reiterated that their refusal to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was based on the need to uphold the North-South zoning arrangement enshrined in the party’s constitution. The G5 included Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
Speaking to PDP members under the aegis of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP” from all 36 states and the FCT, Wike defended the group’s decision to back Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a southern candidate, over Atiku, a northerner. He stated that the decision, though controversial, was taken in the national interest.
According to Vanguard News reports, Wike said: “You may like us, you may hate us; the truth is, if the G5 did not take our decision, this country would have been in crisis. “It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was — the right thing had to be done.”
He accused the PDP leadership of ignoring the party’s constitution and warned against impunity and selfishness, urging unity and reconciliation.
“We must not let ego and greed destroy our party,” he cautioned.
Wike expressed hope for the PDP’s recovery, despite internal challenges. Notable attendees at the meeting included former governors Ugwuanyi, Ortom, and Ikpeazu, along with PDP National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and former Senate Minority Leader Sen. Philip Aduda.
