Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the G-5 governors deliberately allowed Peter Obi to win in parts of the South-South during the 2023 presidential election. This was part of a strategy to weaken the chances of the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Wike explained that the group settled on this approach after concluding that the PDP's traditional strength in the region would work against it if left to Atiku.
According to Wike, the G-5 governors, comprising Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Wike of Rivers, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, had a strategy to allow Obi to win in Edo and Cross River states. The PDP was seen as strong in these areas, and the group believed that if Atiku won, it would boost his chances. Wike stated that the approach was straightforward: a PDP loss in the South-South would hurt Atiku directly, whereas a win for Obi would do little to advance his own presidential prospects.
Wike revealed that Rivers State was excluded from the arrangement. The group blocked Obi from winning there over concerns about the political message such a result would send. Wike said that if Obi won in Rivers, it would send a signal that people may not understand, and they stopped it. The G-5 governors opposed Atiku's presidential bid in 2023, insisting that the party's ticket should have gone to a southern candidate after eight years of northern rule under Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike questioned whether Obi could repeat his 2023 performance in the South-South, particularly in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states. He argued that the conditions that favored Obi in 2023 no longer exist, specifically the backlash over the ruling party's Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. Wike stated that this controversy has since lost its force and that Tinubu has been able to kill that.
Wike also said that Obi's support base in the South-East had weakened since 2023. He urged Obi to shift his focus away from 2027 and prepare instead for the 2031 election. Wike stated that Obi does not have the support and won't have it, and that he should leave the 2027 election for Tinubu.
The G-5 governors' strategy was to ensure that Atiku did not win in the South-South region. Wike emphasized that the group's goal was not to help Obi but to weaken Atiku's chances. He reiterated that the strategy was successful in Edo and Cross River states, where Obi won.
Wike's revelation provides insight into the political dynamics of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. The G-5 governors' strategy and its implications for future elections remain a topic of discussion. As the country prepares for future elections, Wike's comments have sparked debate about the role of political strategies in shaping election outcomes.
Key points
- The G-5 governors allowed Peter Obi to win in parts of the South-South to weaken Atiku Abubakar's chances in the 2023 presidential election.
- Wike excluded Rivers State from the arrangement to prevent Obi from winning and sending a potentially misinterpreted signal.
- Wike now doubts Obi's ability to repeat his 2023 performance in the South-South and advises him to focus on the 2031 election.
