The chain of events that culminated to the emergence of the G-5 Governors has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.
The drama which began like a match flare in May 22 this year at the end of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention in Abuja. The democratic exercise, threw up former Vice President, Atiku Abubaka has the party’s presidential flag bearer.
He defeated 12 other Aspirants, including Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Dissatisfied with the entire process, five Governors of the party, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and headed by the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike voiced out their frustrations over their failed attempts to hoist a south south presidential candidate on the party.
Though, since the enthronement of the fourth Republic, there’s an unwritten constitution that allows the Presidency of Nigeria to be shared between the North and South. For the aggrieved Governors, they felt short changed by the outcome of the convention following their failed permutations.
According to the grapevine, Governor Wike’s ambition to emerge as the party’s presidential flag bearer, forced Peter Obi, current Labour Party presidential candidate out of the PDP’s presidential primaries. The Rivers state Governor was reported to have told Obi, that the party’s zonal arrangement had been scuttled as the race has been thrown open.
Quite uncomfortable with the helm of affairs, Obi sought another platform (LP) to realize his political aspiration. But events turned sour for the ambitious Wike as his hope of clinching the party’s presidential ticket was dashed after expending humongous amount of money on campaigns.
The Rivers state Governor and his lieutenants had been in the vanguard, calling for the resignation of the party’s national Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu on the premise that both the presidential candidate and national Chairman of the party cannot come from the same region.
Though, Wike had alleged in the media that Ayu promised, prior to the convention to resign his chairmanship position if a northerner emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.
But ironically, Ayu has reneged. The Rivers Governor had openly accused Ayu of corruption, adding that the people of the Southern Nigeria have no stake in current composition of the party’s hierarchy.
All entreaties to pacify the enraged Governors have failed to yield appreciable dividends as the five Governors who were appointed into the PDP presidential campaign council, withdrew their membership and boycotted it’s inauguration.
Attempts by Governors from the South South region elected on the PDP platform to reconcile the G-5 Governors with the party also hit brick walls. In the same vein, other party chieftain tried to wade into the lingering crisis but all to no avail.
*The PDP Leprous Fingers*
Undoubtedly, Wike had hold forte of the party even when others abandoned it. This claim is in the public space and so true.
But political Pundits were of the opinion that the G-5 Governors stance was a calculated attempt to frustrate the party’s presidential race to 2023. Others accused the warring governors of engaging in anti party activities.
It was reported that political opponents feasted on the party’s crisis as many of them made overtures to Governor Wike and his gang. According to section 51 of PDP Act ;any member who engages in activities that threatened the unity of the party would be suspended.
At a campaign rally in Abia, Governor Ikpeazu noted that the G-5 Governors have come under serious attack and serious propaganda from all quarters but they are undeterred.
Benue state Governor, Ortom insisted that G-5 Governors would not abandoned the party. “You cannot build a house and when a snake creeps into your house, you abandoned the house to build a new one,” he said.
Wike had consistently reiterated that in due time the G-5 Governors would announce their preferred presidential candidate . But will they achieve this task why still wearing the necklace of the PDP?
Today, the G-5 Governors are in far away Spain to reach a compromise on their choice presidential candidate irrespective of party affiliation. Though speculations are rife that they may eventually tilt to either the Labour Party or the All Progressive Congress, APC. However whichever way the pendulum swings, Nigerians are waiting
