The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that Nigeria could have plunged into deep chaos if the G5 governors had not intervened during the 2023 general elections.
Wike, who led the group of five governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said their decision to oppose the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was crucial in stabilising the country.
The G5, also known as the Integrity Group, was made up of then-sitting governors: Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. The group distanced itself from Atiku’s campaign, insisting on the principle of North-South power rotation and demanding that the presidential ticket be zoned to the South.
Their defiance weakened PDP’s chances in the election, as the G5 openly supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who eventually emerged victorious.
Speaking on Monday to a delegation of ‘Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP’ from across the 36 states and the FCT, Wike defended the group’s actions, saying their stance helped avert a national crisis.
“You may like us or hate us, but the truth remains that if the G5 had not taken the stand we did, Nigeria would have been thrown into turmoil,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter who benefited from our decision—what mattered was doing what was right. And to this day, we stand by that choice.”
Wike also reiterated the group’s commitment to upholding the principles enshrined in both the PDP constitution and the Nigerian Constitution.
“If the party had listened to our concerns, we wouldn’t be in the current situation. Impunity and disregard for internal democracy are what brought us here,” he added.
He urged PDP leaders to learn from past mistakes and stop operating with impunity if the party hopes to regain public trust.
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