The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has credited the defunct G-5 governors with preserving Nigeria’s stability, asserting that their defiance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 elections averted national turmoil.
Speaking at a high-profile meeting with Concerned PDP Stakeholders at his Abuja residence, Wike, a key G5 member, insisted that the party’s current woes stemmed from ignoring the group’s demand for power rotation to the South after eight years of Northern presidency under Muhammadu Buhari.
“You may like us or hate us, but the truth is, if the G5 had not taken our stand, this country would be in crisis today. We prioritised the constitution over impunity. Had the PDP listened, we wouldn’t be in this mess,” he said.
The meeting drew former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Senator Sam Anyanwu, and some lawmakers across 36 States.
Wike lambasted PDP leaders for allowing “selfish interests and greed” to undermine unity, urging a return to the founding fathers’ principles .
“It doesn’t matter who benefited. The right thing was done for Nigeria’s stability, and we stand by it. No opposition party survives impunity. Why must PDP? Let the Constitution guide us, not ego,” he said.
On alleged double standards by the PDP leadershing, Wike claimed that Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, contested the governorship ticket as the State’s party chairman without resigning, saying that politicians exploit loopholes, urging that it must be stoped.
Former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, backed Wike’s stance, admitting the PDP’s grave mistakes and calling for divine intervention.
“PDP needs God’s face to regain leadership. We must respect laws—both party and national,” he said.
The G5— former Governors Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), had opposed Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 candidacy, citing zoning violations.
Their rebellion fractured the PDP, with Wike now serving in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet while retaining PDP membership, a duality further fueling internal strife in the party.
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