Wike vs Atiku: Why PDP Crisis Won’t Affect Makinde, Ortom, Others – Bode George

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a member of the Integrity Group, Olabode George, has stated that the rift between the group and the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, will not affect the electoral chances of the G-5 governors.

Naija News reports that the G-5, which comprises of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, have refused to back Atiku’s presidential ambition, demanding for the sack or removal of their party’s national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

Of all the members of the G-5, only Governor Wike is not seeking to be reelected into any position but he is trying to install Sim Fubara as his successor.

Many are of the opinion that the refusal of the G-5 governors to back their party’s presidential candidate will affect their chances at next year’s general election.

Speaking to Vanguard, Olabode George dismissed any negative effect not supporting Atiku will have on Makinde who is seeking gubernatorial re-election, Wike’s governorship candidate as well as Ortom, Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu who are contesting senatorial elections.

The elder statesman said: “The Nigerian electorate understand what is happening. If they know you have the capacity and the ability to resolve this whole problem, they can trust you when you have a bigger problem.

“When you explain yourself, you will earn their trust. How did you emerge? The constitution says this thing must come to the South. Is Buhari from Anambra, Oyo? Is he not from the North? Imagine the millions of votes here and he is abandoning them. You think you are deceiving them. If they like, let them vote for him, I will go down in my grave that I told the truth and I didn’t waiver.”

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