The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has attributed the stability in the country to the activities of the G5 governors.
Wike made the statement during a meeting with Concerned Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, at his official residence in Abuja, on Monday.
The G5 governors are members of the Peoples Democratic Party who fought against the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party while another northerner, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, remained the party’s national chairman.
They also opposed Atiku’s candidacy, citing the zoning formula enshrined in the party’s constitution, adding that the Presidency should rather be zoned to the South, after eight years of a northern presidency under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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The governors at the time were Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Wike (Rivers) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
Present at the stakeholders’ meeting on Monday were Ortom, Ikpeazu, National Secretary of the PDP, Sam Anyanwu, serving and former lawmakers of the party and delegates from the 36 states and the FCT.
Addressing the stakeholders, Wike highlighted the stance of the G5 governors during the 2023 elections, notably the governors’ refusal to support the candidacy of Atiku, adding that the party would not be where it was today if it had listened to them.
Wike urged the stakeholders to show their belief in unity, like the founding fathers of the party, rather than allowing “selfish interests” and greed to destroy the party.
“You may recall we have said this, we want to say it again; today, this country is stabilised because of the activities of G5 governors.
“You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is, if the G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.
“It doesn’t matter who is a beneficiary or not. The point is that the right thing must be done for the stability of the country, and we took that decision, and we continue to stand by the decision.”
Wike added that the members would continue to demand respect for the constitution of the party and that of the country.
“Now, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party in this world survives acting on impunity.
“If we want to show Nigeria that we believe in the unity of this country, the way the founding fathers of this country have done it, let us go that way.
“Of course, their selfish interests would not allow it. And we said, this will not work; let us not allow greed. Let us not allow ego to kill our party,” he said.
The minister also addressed the contention over the seat of the national secretary of the party, noting that Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, contested for the governorship of the state while he held the position of state chairman of the party.
“All politicians are selfish. It’s correct. We capitalise on opportunities.
“The governor of Taraba State was the state chairman of the party. He never resigned.
“Kefas, wherever you are, hear me today. It was when he won as governor that he now put his successor,” Wike said.
Ortom said no one had contributed to the party like Wike, adding that the PDP had made a lot of mistakes.
“For whatever reason, for lack of time, I won’t talk about that, but PDP made a lot of mistakes, and we have found ourselves where we are today,” he said.
He also called on the party to “seek the face of God” for a return to leadership, while urging stakeholders to respect the rule of law and follow due process, as well as the Nigerian Constitution and the constitution of the PDP.
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