Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has asserted that the controversial actions of the G5 governors during the 2023 general elections helped to stabilise Nigeria and avert a national crisis.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday while addressing members of the “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP”, Wike defended the G5’s refusal to back their party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, insisting their decision was necessary to uphold equity and justice.
The G5, led by Wike and comprising Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), had distanced themselves from Atiku’s campaign, citing a breach of the party’s North-South zoning agreement.
“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 said. “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 eventually backed Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contributing to the PDP’s electoral defeat.
Wike maintained that had the PDP leadership heeded the group’s advice, the party would have avoided its current turmoil. “If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t have been where we are today,” he stated.
He also warned against impunity and internal arrogance within the party. “Let us not allow greed; let us not allow ego to kill our party,” he urged.
Despite the divisions, Wike expressed hope for PDP’s revival. Present at the stakeholders’ meeting were former governors Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, and former Senate Minority Leader Sen. Philip Aduda.
What you should know
Nyesom Wike believes the G5 governors’ stance during the 2023 elections was a necessary move that averted national instability. The group’s decision to oppose their party’s presidential candidate remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s recent political history.
