With only a few days till the February 25 presidential election, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has ruled out any last-minute arrangement or truce between the G5 and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Wike stated in a press conference on Thursday that he owes no one an apology for hosting All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu in Port Harcourt following the latter’s rally in the state on Wednesday. He also stated that he is unwilling to work with any member of Atiku’s camp to mediate a resolution between the G5 or the Integrity Group and the party’s national leadership, led by Iyorchia Ayu.
When asked if a last-minute agreement with Atiku was possible, Wike responded, “No, we can’t do that; it’s over!” We’ve said it, and now there’s nothing anyone can do about it. They are certain that they will win the election. I’m not ready to meet with anybody else.”
The G5 is made up of five PDP governors from southern Nigeria who are dissatisfied with the party’s leadership, including Wike, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
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The five governors have been constant in their demand that Ayu resign as PDP national chairman as a condition for their support of Atiku’s presidential bid in 2023.
The G5 has been somewhat quiet recently, but Wike insists that the group is not dead. According to him, the gang has its own plans and “not all of us will do the talking. That others are quiet does not imply we are not together”.
“We know what we’ve all agreed on,” the governor said, but he didn’t say who of the other 17 presidential contenders the group will back in next week’s election.
The governor of Enugu State (Ugwuanyi), a member of the G5, greeted Atiku at the Government House in the state capital on Tuesday but was not present for the PDP presidential candidate’s rally.
In response to the gathering, Wike stated that accepting Atiku does not imply that Ugwuanyi has quit the party.
“Even before Enugu governor received him (Atiku) in Government House, we knew about it.
“We cannot tell you the approach. Forget about what people are saying, the 25th is here. Everybody will see it,” Wike said.
