Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors deliberately allowed Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to take votes from Atiku Abubakar in some South-South states during the 2023 presidential election. This strategy was adopted by the G-5 governors to prevent Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate, from benefiting from the party's stronghold in the region. According to Wike, the group identified Atiku as its main political concern and decided to allow Obi to win in some states where the PDP had a strong presence.
Wike made this disclosure during an interview on TVC's Journalists' Hangout, revealing that the strategy was applied in Edo and Cross River states. He stated that the G-5 governors had a strategy to prevent Atiku from consolidating the PDP's support base in the South-South. The FCT minister explained that the objective was to prevent Atiku from benefiting from the PDP's stronghold in the region, adding that Obi winning in those states would not have helped him in the long run.
The five governors who formed the G-5 were Wike, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The group had opposed Atiku's presidential candidacy ahead of the 2023 election and demanded changes in the PDP leadership structure and adherence to its zoning arrangement. Wike's revelation provides insight into the internal dynamics of the PDP and the strategies employed by the G-5 governors during the 2023 presidential election.
However, Wike noted that the strategy was not applied in Rivers State due to the political implications of an Obi victory in the state. He stated that Rivers had a unique situation, and the governors decided that Obi would not win in the state, as it would have sent a wrong signal. The FCT minister's comments suggest that the G-5 governors had different priorities and considerations for different states in the South-South region.
Wike also assessed the current political strength of Peter Obi in the South-South region, stating that the circumstances that contributed to Obi's performance in 2023 had changed ahead of the 2027 general election. He questioned Obi's ability to win in states such as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Delta, suggesting that Obi's current political strength in the region is limited.
Furthermore, Wike advised Obi to consider a longer-term political strategy, stating that he should focus on the 2031 election rather than the upcoming 2027 general election. This advice suggests that Wike believes Obi's current political trajectory may not lead to immediate success. The FCT minister's comments have sparked reactions from various stakeholders in the PDP and the Labour Party.
The implications of Wike's revelation and advice for Obi remain to be seen, as the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve. One thing is certain, however: Wike's disclosure has provided valuable insights into the internal dynamics of the PDP and the strategies employed by the G-5 governors during the 2023 presidential election.
Key points
- The G-5 governors allowed Peter Obi to take votes from Atiku Abubakar in some South-South states during the 2023 presidential election to prevent Atiku from consolidating the PDP's support base in the region.
