The aggrieved G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday stormed Bauchi state to visit their counterpart Governor Bala Mohammed.
The governors comprise Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
They arrived at the Government House around 12:30 pm with Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde missing from the group.
The meeting comes barely 24hours after Atiku had made a move to woo the Bauchi State governor.
It would be recalled that the Bauchi State governor had accused the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of working with a group of politicians from the State to scuttle his 2023 re-election bid.
After the Tuesday’s meeting between Atiku and Mohammed, it appeared the duo have resolved their differences and resolved to work together for electoral victory in 2023.
However, with the meeting between Mohammed and the G-5 governors, it appears there might be worry for Atiku.
Wike, while speaking during the visit said the G-5 governors are on a solidarity visit to Mohammed to converse on ways they can help in the challenges surrounding his (Bauchi governor’s) re-election bid.
Wike said, “We come here in solidarity with our friend, the Governor of Bauchi State. We know that he’s running for a second term in office and what we are doing to those of our friends is to find out how things are with them, how the elections are going. This period is a period to identify with your friends.
“Luckily, four of us that are here are not running for a second term in office, even though they are running for senate, I’m the only one who is not running for any elective position after I failed at the (presidential) primary. Going forward, nothing more but just to fraternise with him. If there is any area we can help and advise (we will), because what affects him also affects us. Nothing more than that, just to say how are you doing and planning.”
Mohammed, in his response said he was happy to receive the governors in Bauchi.
He said, “The governors of G5, they called themselves ‘Integrity Group’. I am supposed to be with them but they excommunicated me for some reason best known to them. But I am highly connected with them, each and every one of them. There is no day that I don’t call to speak with each of them.
“Because in politics, you go with the people that you share something in common with. The presidency that we ran where my brother was defeated and he defeated me has brought us close. Of course, at the Governors’ forum, one thing I appreciate about them is that they look at your challenges. Even though they are not running for a second term, they are always worried.
“We have something in common. They know that I have challenges of anti-party, challenges of some treachery and mischief and of course politics is about all these but when you know that you have people behind you, of that stature and that calibre you feel fulfilled.”
