2023: G-5 has yet to reach a deal with anyone- Wike.
Aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, otherwise known as the G-5 have not struck a deal with any presidential candidate ahead of next year’s election, according to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike
The group which includes Wike, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) have been at loggerheads with the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the wake of the party’s presidential primary.
Wike, who lost to Atiku, believes the process was unfair and the five governors maintain that the PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, must resign. Since the crisis, there have been speculations that the group has backed a candidate for the presidential election.
But the former Minister of State for Education has waved off the reports, describing them as untrue.
“They said Wike had an interview with BBC and he said we have a deal with so and so. Meanwhile, no video, no audio. And some of you waste your time listening to such things,” he said on Friday during the flag-off of the construction of Eneka-Igbo Etche Road.
“Don’t you know that when I want to do something, I will do it? Don’t you know? Do you need to speculate? You don’t need to speculate. They said there is trouble but there is no trouble. What we have is an introduction to the trouble that is going to come!”
“So, my dear people, I just want to tell you that whatever decision I will take, I will let you know. I cannot take any decision without taking advice from you,” the governor added, urging detractors to leave members of the G-5.
“I just want to enjoy myself and my family,” Wike said, maintaining that he is not contesting an election next year and thus should not be the subject of speculations.
Wike also accused Atiku of holding secret meetings with governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and failing to keep to his promise of not having the PDP presidential candidate and the party’s chairman from the same region (North).
“They said we had meeting with so and so. What is your problem? Assuming there was a meeting, has Atiku not been holding meetings with governors of APC? Ask him. As he is in Dubai, don’t we know what is going on? So, why do you bother about us? G5 that you said you can win without us, leave us alone.
“I am not someone who will go and see somebody and hide. Hide for who? Who is that person that will threaten me?”
The Rivers governor also asked the residents to avoid speculations about who he will support as a presidential candidate.
“Wike said we had a deal with so, so, and so person. Meanwhile, no video, no anything. And some of you waste time listening to such things. Don’t you know when I want to do something, I do it? You don’t need to speculate,” he added.
