The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has credited the G5 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 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 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), PDP National Secretary Sam Anyanwu, and lawmakers across 36 states.
Wike lambasted party 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 Leadership double standards, Wike said that Taraba’s Governor Kefas contested as party chairman without resigning and that politicians exploit loopholes, urging that it must be stopped.
Former Benue 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—Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu, 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 Tinubu’s cabinet while retaining PDP membership, a duality fueling internal strife.
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