Nigeria would have been in trouble if my G5 group didn’t work against PDP in 2023 election – Wike

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that the controversial actions of the G5 governors, which disrupted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general election, ultimately helped stabilise Nigeria.

Speaking on Monday, June 8, while addressing members of the “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP” from all 36 states and the FCT, Wike defended the role played by the G5, a group of five then-sitting governors who defied their party by refusing to back PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. The G5, led by Wike, included Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.

The group’s opposition to Atiku’s candidacy stemmed from their insistence on power rotation to the South, in line with what they described as the party’s zoning arrangement. Their rebellion fractured the PDP’s presidential campaign and is widely believed to have weakened the party’s electoral performance. The G5 ultimately supported Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who went on to win the election.

Defending the group’s decision, Wike said the G5’s stance helped prevent a national crisis.

“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.”

Wike maintained that the G5’s actions were rooted in a commitment to upholding both the PDP constitution and that of the country, urging the party to reflect on the consequences of its choices.

“If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t have been where we are today,” he said.

He also cautioned PDP leaders against impunity and internal division, calling for unity and reconciliation. “Ours is to continue to pacify people and bring them together and desist from saying that they should go to hell. Let us not allow greed; let us not allow ego to kill our party,” Wike added.

Despite the party’s current troubles, Wike expressed confidence in the PDP’s ability to recover.

In attendance at the meeting were key PDP figures including former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom, and Okezie Ikpeazu, as well as National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda.