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Why Wike, Other G-5 Governors May Pitch Their Tent With Tinubu
By Praise Ben
Like a chorus of discontent, Governor Nyesom Wike and the other G-5 Governors – Seyi Makinde, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – have all united in their fervent rejection of Atiku’s presidential aspirations. It is beyond dispute that these leaders of the People’s Democratic Party have made their opposition to Atiku’s bid known with great conviction.
They engaged in a fierce and relentless struggle within the ranks of the opposition party, determined to secure fairness and balance between the Northern and Southern regions. Their efforts were met with resistance in the form of Ayu’s chairmanship, which they vociferously opposed. The conflict sparked when Atiku made the controversial decision to choose Okowa over the Rivers Governor, who was widely perceived to be the more qualified candidate for the role of running mate.
EDITOR’S PICKS
As the leader of the “dissenting” faction, Governor Wike has consistently spoken out against the actions of the opposition Party Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, going so far as to accuse him of corrupt practices. He has alleged that Ayu took a massive bribe of N1 billion from a PDP presidential contender in Lagos, as well as N100 million payment from NWC for performing a job that he had already been paid to do. Despite protestations that he harbors no personal animosity towards the PDP presidential candidate, Wike’s actions paint a different picture.
Conversely, Atiku and other PDP members sought unsuccessfully to reconcile with the aggrieved group before deciding to move on without them.
In a recent twist, it has been revealed that Governor Wike and the G-5 Governors plan to announce their preferred presidential candidate in January, just before the general elections. Interestingly, Atiku has been decisively ruled out as an option, leaving many to speculate that the group may throw their support behind Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress flagbearer.
Reacting to these suggestions, a member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) who spoke to Daily Independent on the condition of anonymity said that they are confident Wike and his loyalists will support Tinubu.
He stated: “We in the APC are very confident the G-5 governors will back Asiwaju. There are three major presidential candidates in the election. They have completely ruled out Atiku of PDP. Atiku’s campaign team even boasts that they can win the election without the support of the integrity governors. Don’t forget, Atiku also ignored Seyi Makinde and announced Ademola Adeleke as the Chairman of the South-West Coordinating Committee of the campaign council.
“With Atiku out of the picture, the two remaining candidates are Asiwaju and the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi. From the look of things, a highly sophisticated politician like Wike can never support Obi who has no structures but only relying on social media and fake online polls to claim victory.”
The G-5 governors
An APC leader and member of South-West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA’23) has similarly noted that the body language of the G5 governors seems to suggest support for Tinubu’s presidential aspirations. While Peter Obi of the Labour Party remains a wild card, Tinubu seems to have a better chance of winning the backing of Governor Wike and the G5 group, who are known to be mercurial in their allegiances.
FURTHER READING
Asiwaju Tinubu is a formidable contender and the turnout at his campaign events in various parts of the country is a clear indication of the widespread support he enjoys, both within and beyond the country’s borders. The high standards set by the former Lagos governor continue to inspire and motivate many politicians within the nation. If the G-5 Governors are truly after standards and integrity, Tinubu may just be the perfect man to fill that gap.
Praise Ben writes for Eko Hot Blog. This media platform reserves all rights to this article.
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