2023: PDP G5 May Drum Support For Obasanjo’s Candidate Jan 5

There are significant signs that, barring any unforeseen events, the five disgruntled governors of the Peoples Democratic Party may support their preferred presidential candidate on January 5.

THEEAGLE learned on Tuesday that the governors, who gathered in London, United Kingdom, may be swayed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s suggestion that the South-East region should hold the presidency in 2023.

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Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, as well as some political heavyweights from the South, had broken off their relationship with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate, over his alleged refusal to pressure Iyorchia Ayu, the party.

The governors argued that Ayu’s departure would ensure that the main opposition party’s leadership was balanced.

Despite numerous talks between Atiku and the governors in Nigeria and the UK, there was no progress since they insisted that Ayu’s resignation be a requirement for peace.

The governors may, however, take Obasanjo’s advice to support Peter Obi, the front-runner for the Labour Party, when choosing which presidential candidate to back, a top source told The Punch.

The former President reportedly campaigned for Obi during a meeting with the governors in London in August.

An assistant to one of the governors provided background information on the elements that would influence their choice, saying, “The governors are considering Obasanjo’s advice that the Presidency should come to the South in 2023. Obasanjo has advised them to support Obi because he believes that if the Presidency comes to the South, it should go to the South East.

“That is why at their last meeting in London, he lobbied for Obi because justice and fairness demand that South-East should produce the next president.’’

Asked when the governors, known as Integrity Group would unveil their preferred candidate, the source said, “From all indications, the governors will announce their preferred candidate next week. If there is no major event before January 5 when Makinde will kick off his campaign, they will make the announcement on that day in Ibadan.’’

Reports that the group was split on which presidential candidate to support were refuted by an assistant to another governor.

The governors decided at the conference in London on Tuesday that they should support a southern candidate since Atiku had failed to get Ayu to resign.