The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has attributed the stability in the country to the activities of the G5 governors in the country.
Wike made the statement during a meeting with Concerned Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, at his official residence in Abuja, on Monday.
Present at the meeting were the former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, National Secretary of the PDP, Sam Anyanwu, serving and former lawmakers of the party and delegates from the 36 states and the FCT.
Addressing the stakeholders, Wike highlighted the stance of the G5 governors during the 2023 elections, notably the governors’ refusal to support the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, adding that the party wouldn’t be where it was today if it had listened to them.
The Governors had opposed Atiku’s candidacy, citing the zoning formula enshrined in the party’s constitution, adding that the Presidency should rather be zoned to the South, after eight years of a northern presidency under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike urged the stakeholders to show their belief in unity, like the founding fathers of the party, rather than allowing “selfish interests” and greed to destroy the party
“You may recall we have said this, we want to say it again; today this country is stabilised because of the activities of the G5 governors.
“You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is, if the G5 had not taken the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.
“It doesn’t matter who is a beneficiary or not. The point is that the right thing must be done for the stability of the country, and we took that decision, and we continue to stand by the decision.
“If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t be where we are today. And we have continued to sound it to the party, let the Constitution of the party, let the Constitution of Nigeria be respected, and all other laws.
“Now, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party in this world survives acting on impunity.
“If we want to show Nigeria that we believe in the unity of this country, the way the founding fathers of this country have done it, let us go that way.
“Of course, their selfish interests would not allow it. And we said, this will not work; let us not allow greed. Let us not allow ego to kill our party,” Wike said.
The Minister also addressed the contention over the seat of the National Secretary of the party, noting that the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, contested for the governorship of the state while he held the position of state Chairman of the party.
“All politicians are selfish. It’s correct. We capitalise on opportunities.
“The Governor of Taraba State was the Chairman of the party. He never resigned.
“Kefas, wherever you are, hear me today. It was when he won as governor that he appointed his successor. Is that not correct?”, Wike said.
Meanwhile, former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, said no one has contributed to the party like Wike had, adding that the PDP had made a lot of mistakes.
“For whatever reason, for lack of time, I won’t talk about that, but PDP made a lot of mistakes, and we have found ourselves where we are today,” he said.
Ortom also called on the party to “seek the face of God” for a return to leadership, while urging stakeholders to respect the rule of law and follow due process, as well as the Nigerian Constitution and the Constitution of the PDP.
PUNCH.
