2023: G5 governors, allies to sustain anti-Atiku moves

The five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday reiterated their determination to sustain anti-Atiku moves ahead of next year’s general election.

However, they also expressed their readiness for reconciliation with the party leadership if their conditions for a truce are met.

They insisted on their demands, including the resignation of the national chairman, Senator Iyiocha Ayu, and the choice of the new helmsman from the South.

Also, the governors under the aegis of ‘The Integrity Group’ maintained that they will not participate in the presidential campaign unless their demands are met.

A former governor, who is a member of the group, said time was running out.

He urged the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Ayu to make up their minds before it is too late.

The governors and their supporters converged on the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos to review the crisis rocking the party.

Former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who read the communique of the group after its deliberations, said the camp was not against any peace move.

He said: “After a careful review of developments, we have decided to stand on the decision we took at our Port-Harcourt meeting.

“We hereby again reiterate that the window of reconciliation in our great party remains open.”

Before the meeting, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde told reporters that although G5 is the face of the struggle, many leaders are backing the Integrity Group.

At the meeting hosted by Chief Olabode George were Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

Others were former Governors Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Donald Duke (Cross Rivers).

Also present were PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Senator Sandy Onor, Senator Nafiz Suleiman, Senator Olaka Nwogu, Mrs. Nena Ukeje, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Ali Odefa, Dotun Babayemi, Dan Orbih and Mohammed Adoke, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

After the briefing, Wike and his colleagues went to George’s office on Lugard Road, Ikoyi, where he addressed supporters.

The Rivers governor advised them to vote for governorship and parliamentary candidates while awaiting the decision of the group on the presidential poll.