The five aggrieved Governors within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) popularly known as the G5 have finally resolved not to support the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Arising from their meeting in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday, the governors have stated that they will not be supporting Atiku in the 2023 presidential election and have concluded on a preferred candidate.
Recall that Governors; Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Samuel Ortom (Benue State), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State) took a stand against supporting Atiku.
They insisted on the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu from office and his replacement with a Southerner as the only condition to support Atiku in 2023.
However, despite several meetings and entreaties on how to resolve the disagreement, Ayu has refused to step down and the Governors have also not changed their position.
A source told The Nation that the governors said there was no room for a final peace deal with Atiku because he has failed to meet their demands for weeks, especially Ayu’s resignation from office and concessions to the South.
The source also revealed that the Integrity group also rejected peace overtures from South-South leaders, who appealed to them to sheath their swords and support the former Vice President’s bid.
According to the source, the governors were also angry at Makinde’s removal as the Southwest Coordinator for the PDP Presidential Campaign during their meeting in London.
The governors gave stated that they will not leave a crucial meeting in London to meet with Atiku or any other stakeholder in Nigeria.
The source said: “So far, the London meeting has succeeded in defining the position of the G-5 on Atiku. The governors have resolved not to work for the presidential candidate of their party.
“They will, however, ensure the victory of PDP in other elections in their various states. The good thing is that the Presidential and the National Assembly Elections will come first on February 25, 2023.
“The governors were unhappy that they gave Atiku enough windows to meet their demands, but he refused because he believes he can win without them.
“They claimed that the little trust between them and Atiku has waned. They foresee vengeance against them if Atiku wins the 2023 poll.
“Where there is need for alliance in their states, they said they are determined to prove to PDP and Atiku that they cannot be wished away.”
Speaking further, the source said some South-South leaders invited Wike to a meeting in Nigeria for a deal with the PDP candidate before he left for London.
He said the Rivers State governor has stated that he will not be part of any fresh deal or talk with Atiku.
The Nation quoted the source as saying: “Wike told the South-South leaders that it was late in the day to have any meeting with them on the Atiku-Okowa ticket. He said the London meeting was more crucial than the one in Nigeria.
“Some of the Southsouth leaders became helpless and may abandon their latest overtures.”
