The moves started by the governor of Sokoto State, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal to reconcile the G-5 governors with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not yield any fruitful outcome as the governor of Rivers State and leader of the group, Mr. Nyesom Wike has insisted on the north ceding the chairmanship post of the party to the south.
Recall that Tambuwal had last Sunday met with a member of the group and governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom trying to talk him into prevailing on the G-5, especially Wike, to bury the hatchet and work for the success of the party at the 2023 polls.
The G-5 wants the resignation the party’s national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu arguing that northerners should not hold both the presidential candidate and chairmanship positions.
The group is made up of the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike as the arrowhead; Mr. Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); and Ortom.
Amid the crisis, the five governors excused themselves from the PDP presidential campaign council.
Signs that Tambuwal’s peace initiative is dead on arrival manifested yesterday when Wike insisted that the group’s demand for Ayu’s resignation is irreversible.
Speaking at his private residence in Rumueprikom to mark his 55th birthday anniversary, Wike said he has no personal issue with the PDP presidential candidate, Mr. Atiku Abubakar.
The governor who hosted his political associates and Rivers Elders Council led by its chairman, Mr. Ferdinand Alabraba, said the G-5 demands that the north should relinquish the chairmanship post of the party to the south.
He added that he has no regret contesting the presidential primary, which he lost to Atiku.
“I don’t regret I ran for presidency. In the name of God, I am happy to make Rivers proud as far I am concerned.
“If they had allowed it to be what it is supposed to be, I would have won the election. But it’s okay. It has happened.
“People said it’s because I lost election. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t lose election.
“This is my first time of trying to run for the presidency of Nigeria and we made impact. If it is easy, let them go ahead. Are they not the ones begging?
“I have no problem with the presidential candidate (Atiku). All I am saying is what is the interest of Rivers people? What is the interest of the south-south, and the south?”
The governor also used the opportunity to deny that he imposed Mr. Sim Fubara as Rivers PDP governorship candidate.
According to Wike, Fubara’s emergence was a collective decision.
“When O. C. J. Okocha comes back, we will publish the agreement signed by all.
“We will win. I am not running for election, but I’m running an election. My name is not in the ballot, but I’m running an election.
“You’ll hear what is going to happen. Everybody, don’t panic. It is something God has given to us,” he said.
In his remarks, Alabraba pledged the council’s allegiance to the governor saying it would work for Fubara’s emergence as governor.
“Since after the primaries and all the matters arising, a lot of people have been wondering where are we going, what are we doing?
“But, I assure you that the belief we have in you and your leadership, whenever you decide to say where we are going, that is where all of us will go. We are not in a hurry.
“We will deliver Fubara as our governor, deliver all representatives, senate and all state assembly candidates.
“But for the other one, we are waiting for whenever you decide. We will wait for you. Whatever you decide, that is where all of us will go.
“Your Excellency, we thank God that you have the ability and capacity to carry along a number of colleagues today known as G-5.
“Those are the most popular governors in this country today. And we are not pressurising you.
“Whatever the group comes up with, whichever decision you take, be rest assured that your fellowship will key into it and support you to the last.”
