2023: No Going Back On Working Against Atiku – G-5 Govs Ally

The five aggrieved Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) identified as G-5 seem to have taken a final stand not to work for the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.

This is coming after the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel tried to persuade his counterparts to embrace peace and work for Atiku.

Governor Emmanuel a few days ago had met with the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt as part of the efforts to appeal to the governors.

The aggrieved governors in the last few months had vowed not to work for Atiku’s presidential ambition over his alleged refusal to prevail on the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to resign from office.

The governors had condemned northerners taking charge of key positions in the main opposition party, adding that Ayu leaving the office for a southerner would bring about equity.

An associate of Governor Ortom who spoke with Punch said the G-5 governors are not going back in their decision not to work for Atiku.

The source said, “Governor Ortom told him that Atiku had burnt his bridges. He also told him that there was nothing he alone could do and urged him to meet with the other four governors that make up the Integrity Group.

“The PCC knows the importance of the governors as far as elections are concerned and as chairman of that council, Udom Emmanuel took it upon himself to intervene. This is what took him to Port Harcourt.

“I can’t speak for Wike but Governor Ortom assured him that while he would not campaign for Atiku, he would also not campaign against him. He also promised not to stop anyone desirous of campaigning for the former Vice President in the state from doing so.”