The Nyesom Wike-led group of State governors, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has arrived in London, United Kingdom, in continuation of their meeting to fashion a strategy ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The team that left for the trip on Boxing Day included Governors Sam Ortom, (Benue); Seyi Makinde, (Oyo); Ifeanyi Uguanyi, (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu, (Abia).
They have remained consistent in their call for the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to pave the way for the emergence of a southern politician as the Party Chairman. They have since withdrawn their support for the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.
Tambuwal reportedly stated this during a peace meeting with the Benue State governor early in December, where Ortom had advised him to reach out to other members of the G-5 since he could not take any decision on their behalf.
Recall that the Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, (PCC) and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was supposed to return to Makurdi, Benue State, with the party flagbearer for a meeting with Governor Ortom before Christmas. The meeting did not hold.
It was gathered that the recent meeting between Ortom and Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who is the chairman of the PDP PCC, was at the instance of Emmanuel, who expressed discomfort at the absence of the five PDP governors at a party meeting.
It was not clear whether the Akwa-Ibom State governor intends to continue his peace initiative with the aggrieved group. However, it was learnt that a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), has now waded into the G-5 feud with the presidential candidate of the PDP.
According to reports, the Zamfara State-born politician invited Ortom to his Abuja residence for a meeting over the crisis, and subsequently spoke to Atiku on phone. It was further gathered that the former vice-president, who was contacted while he was about to depart Owerri on his recent campaign trip to Imo State, had requested the Benue State governor to wait for him at Gusaus residence, a request Ortom was said to have rejected.
Meanwhile, the G-5 remains divided over the presidential candidate to support for next years election.
There are however strong indications that Obi may be favoured by the group. It is believed that one of the reasons for the London meeting is to work towards a common ground on the presidential race.
