There are indications that cracks have occurred within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G5 governors: Nyesom Wike, Rivers, Samuel Ortom, Benue; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; and Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia.
Three of the state governors are reported to have made a “complete turn” (C-Turn) by rescinding their hardline position against their party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Their decision, according to the Saturday Telegraph’s sources during the week, followed the nonconcurrence of the G-5 governors on who to support in the 2023 presidential election, apart from their party’s Atiku Abubakar.
Recall that the five governors have called for the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as the National Chairman of the PDP. They have cited an imbalance in power-sharing within the party.
However, the G5 governors have found it difficult to reach a consensus on an alternative candidate apart from Atiku.
A competent source within the party told Saturday Telegraph that three of the governors have been reaching out to the leadership of the party as well as Abubakar to express their readiness to work for the party during the presidential election.
“I can confirm to you that they have been sending emissaries to Waziri from time to time. This action is due mainly to efforts of stakeholders who have continued to make strenuous efforts to resolve the crisis within the party,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.
The three governors
According to the source, the affected governors “that have opened talks” with the party include Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
“I am very confident that their decision to this effect will be made known to the country and the party very soon,” the source said.
He further revealed that Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers) had become hard nuts to crack.
“For now, the two of them have proven to be hard nuts to crack because they are still sticking to their guns.”
Another source close to Atiku Abubakar who wouldn’t want his name mentioned said: “I know that a lot of talks are ongoing on both sides and they (the talks) are yielding positive results.”
According to him, stakeholders from both sides have stepped in “to bring everybody along on the same page, and things are looking good for the likely resolution of the crisis very soon.”
He further said that the change of attitude is due to prevailing local politics in their respective states which could prove fatal for them considering the fact that many of their supporters are vying for other offices under the banner of the PDP.
“There is no way they won’t yield because of the local politics within their states. Many of them are currently under intense pressure from candidates contesting for other political offices and they (the G-5 Governors) are coming to terms with that reality,” the source said.
