G5 PDP Governors’ 2023 Actions Crucial for Nigeria’s Present Stability, Affirms FCT Minister Wike
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has asserted that the current stability enjoyed across Nigeria is a direct result of the activities of the G5 Governors within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 election cycle.
Wike made this declaration on Monday while addressing PDP eminent and concerned stakeholders at his official residence in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the G5’s decision to withhold support for the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was a critical factor that averted potential national crisis. “You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is, if the G5 had not taken the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis,” Wike stated.
He emphasized that the G5’s actions were motivated by a commitment to doing the “right thing” for the country’s stability, arguing that this principle transcended individual beneficiaries. Wike insisted they stood by their decision, adding, “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 further contended that the PDP would not be facing its current challenges if it had initially heeded the advice offered by the G5. He issued a strong warning against the party’s perceived impunity, stating, “If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t be where we are today… No opposition party in this world survives acting on impunity.”
He urged the party to respect the Constitution of the party, the Nigerian Constitution, and all other relevant laws, calling on the PDP to demonstrate belief in the unity of the country as established by its founding fathers. Wike lamented that “selfish interests… greed… [and] ego” were harmful to the party’s survival.
Illustrating his point about political opportunity and disregard for rules, the Minister cited the case of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas. Wike noted that Kefas contested the governorship election while still serving as the state Chairman of the PDP, only appointing a successor after winning the election. “All politicians are selfish. It’s correct. We capitalise on opportunities,” Wike remarked, directly addressing Kefas.
In a related development at the same meeting, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, spoke highly of Wike’s contributions to the PDP, stating that no one has contributed more to the party. Ortom acknowledged that the PDP had made “a lot of mistakes,” which contributed to its current circumstances.
Ortom called on the party to “seek the face of God” for guidance towards a return to leadership. He also echoed Wike’s call for stakeholders to respect the rule of law, follow due process, and adhere to both the Nigerian Constitution and the Constitution of the PDP.
