2023:G-5 Govs Jet Off To UK, Set To Finalise Obi’s Endorsement

Five Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party led by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the G5 governors in what could be termed as a jamboree trip, have travelled to the United Kingdom for another strategic meeting.

The group which includes Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) had mobilised other party leaders including Chief Bode George, Prof Jerry Gana, etc. to form the ‘Integrity Group’ against Atiku.

READ ALSO: 100 Happy New Year 2023 Messages For Your Love Ones

ThisDay reports that the governors would return to Nigeria on December 30 in order for Wike to attend his scheduled meeting with the Ogoni Council of Chiefs on December 31.

The Rivers State governor had directed that all traditional rulers in Ogoni, attend the meeting.

Further, a source said Wike and his team would use the opportunity of the London trip to discuss the way forward on the crisis rocking the party while in London.

The delegation of governors would also visit Madrid, Spain, according to the source.

The meeting’s main agenda item is who they would endorse for president in the 2023 election.

It was reported that, barring any last-minute changes in political permutations, the organization may have finalised arrangements to support Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.

Recall that Obi with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and four of the G5 governors met in London last August.

A source privy to the discussions said the decision to endorse Obi came after long and exhaustive deliberations, ThisDay disclosed.

“One thing is certain. The group will never endorse Atiku. Their differences are irreconcilable. Atiku knows that and has moved on,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.

“It has taken them (G5 governors) this long because there was initially no consensus other than their anti-Atiku stance. Governor Seyi Makinde was walking a tight rope considering the fact that he is only a first term governor who is seeking re-election and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is Yoruba.

“But the other four governors don’t have the same worries and taking a decision was not difficult for them.”

READ ALSO: Igbo Groups Set To Converge Over 2023 Polls In Umuahia

The source also said the coming on board of other leaders of the party like George, Gana, former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, amongst others contributed a lot.

“Beyond the immediate grievance of the G5 governors, some of these other party leaders still hold Atiku and the breakaway faction for the party’s loss of power in 2015. They have still not forgiving him because they believe that his victory will be a reward for treachery and brazen anti-party activities.

“So with people like Bode George who will never support Tinubu still nursing deep grievance against Atiku, the only choice is Obi. That is why he has become the beautiful bride.”