Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed how the G-5 governors worked to prevent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar from securing votes in some South-South states during the 2023 election.
Wike disclosed this on Monday during an interview on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, saying the group deliberately allowed Labour Party candidate Peter Obi to win in Edo and Cross River because the PDP was considered strong in those states.
Wike Explains G-5 Strategy
According to Wike, the G-5 believed that an Obi victory would hurt Atiku’s chances without significantly benefiting Obi’s presidential bid.
“How did he win? When the G-5, we sat, we had our strategy. We said in Edo, PDP is stronger in the South-South. Our problem will be Atiku. Therefore, instead of Atiku to take it, let it go to the Labour Party. That was our strategy. Cross River, the same thing,” Wike said.
He said the group, however, stopped Obi from winning Rivers State because of the political implications they believed such a result would have.
Wike Questions Obi’s 2027 Prospects
Wike said the political circumstances surrounding the 2023 election had changed, including the controversy over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
He also questioned whether Obi could repeat his 2023 performance in the South-South states in 2027.
“In Cross River now, how will Obi win? In Akwa Ibom, how will he win? In Delta, how will he win?” Wike asked.
The G-5 comprised Wike, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The group opposed Atiku’s candidacy ahead of the 2023 presidential election amid a dispute over power rotation within the PDP.
