2023: G-5 Governors disagree on preferred presidential candidate

The G-5 governors in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP): Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuayi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) have yet to decide on the presidential candidate to adopt in the forthcoming election.

The Governors’ resolve not to throw their weights behind the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar stemmed from the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu’s refusal to give up his position to the southern region.

The aggrieved governors stand against PDP’s decision to pick both party National Chairman and presidential candidate from the north at the expense of the southern region.

Reliable sources reported that the five governors have not come to term on the choice of presidential candidate to support in 2023.

It was also gathered that the group is currently weighing its option between presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

The source, who is a member of the PDP revealed, “It is yet to be discussed. But with the obvious reality that we will not support Atiku for the presidency; and with our leaders agreeing that it is better to tell the world where we are going as soon as possible, it is obvious that we will have to discuss the matter, possibly early in the new year.

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“As we speak, those with preferences, especially between Obi and Tinubu, are already doing some underground works ahead of the meeting. Even members of the G5 have their preferences and I can tell you that some want Tinubu and some want Obi.

“They all have their reasons for their choices. And as party leaders who share their concerns about the party and the Atiku presidency, we are going to listen to them and allow the group decides where we will go. We have come far together. We have good reasons for rejecting what is going on in our party the PDP.

“So, we will not be swayed by sentiments, instead, we will be open to good argument and reason.”