Sanction Threats: G-5 Governors Dare PDP, Say We’re Not Afraid

 It became glaring yesterday that the five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), popularly known as G-5, have crossed the Rubicon in their bid to support a southern presidential candidate other than their party’s flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.

They vehemently dared the national leadership of the party to proceed with the threat to sanction them for supporting any other presidential candidate instead of Atiku.

The G-5 governors who are currently in London to decide on the candidate to back in the 2023 presidential election insisted that they have done nothing wrong to deserve sanction by the party.

They called PDP’s bluff, saying threats of sanctions do not scare them, even as they stated that those proposing such sanctions know the consequences.

Reports had emerged that the PDP leadership would slam the governors with sanctions if they engage in anti-party activity by supporting any other candidate instead of Atiku, the party’s presidential candidate.


The G-5 governors led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, include Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu),

They are said to have travelled to London in continuation of their series of meetings abroad to decide on which candidate to support.

Wike who has been enjoying closer rapport with APC chieftains since he fell out with the PDP national leadership had last week declared that he would reveal the candidate he would support in January 2023.

The five governors, alongside some PDP leaders, had distanced themselves from the PDP presidential campaign, insisting that the national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, must relinquish his seat for a southerner as part of the power balancing deal in the party.

Disdaining the threat to sanction them for anti-party activities, Governor Wike told LEADERSHIP Friday yesterday that the group was not afraid of any suspension from the party.

Speaking in Port Harcourt last night through his commissioner for Information and Communications, Alabo-elect Chris Finebone, the Rivers governor said, “We are watching if they can do that. It is those who want to do it (suspension) that deserves to speak.

“They know the consequences of doing that but let it come from the mouth of those who intend to do that – those who intend to suspend Governor Wike and four others.

“Let them be the ones that will say what the outcome will be. Being afraid of suspension is not in our dictionary at all.

“Let those who think they want to suspend Governor Wike and others attempt it. That means they want to plant a wind; they will reap a whirlwind.”

Also, Benue State governor, Ortom, insisted that they did nothing to warrant sanction from the party leadership.

“My reaction to this is simple: the governor has not done anything wrong against the party to warrant any impunity or sanction by the party,” Ortom’s chief press secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, told our correspondent.

Meanwhile, the PDP in Oyo State has described the threat by the party’s national leadership to sanction the G5 governors, including Seyi Makinde over alleged anti-party activities as a rumour.

A source at state chapter of the party who initially declined comment said the party could not react to the rumour.

Noting it that is a matter at the national level, he said it is power play which one should not allow to consume him.

He said the party would wait for the leadership at the national level to carry out its threat, and allow the governor to react before the state chapter would react.

“I don’t want to react because it’s still a rumour. It is still at the national level. The state chapter of the party will have to allow the party to carry out its threat, allow the governor to react before the state chapter reacts”, the source said.


Wike’s Camp Denies Crack In G-5 Ranks

Meanwhile, the camp of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has denied reports on social media that there is a crisis within the ranks of the G-5 governors.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday in Port Harcourt yesterday, a former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, said those suggesting that a crisis has erupted within the group were not even at the meeting.

Nwuke, who is also the spokesman of the Consolidation for New Rivers Vision Campaign Council, stated that the G-5 governors were knowledgeable about events and will take steps that are in the best interest of the country.

He said, “There is no crisis whatsoever among members of the G-5. Those who are suggesting a crisis are not in the meeting. We have not heard the meeting has broken up.

“What we expect is a decision and the Nigerian people are waiting for their pronouncement. That decision will come, despite what may seem like the existence of divergent views.

“The G-5 governors are knowledgeable about events, they are great patriots too and so will take steps that are in the best interest of the country.”


2023: Struggle For Southern Presidency Must Continue, Akeredolu Tells Amaechi

Meanwhile, Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, declared yesterday that the struggle for the southern part of the country to produce the next president must continue until it is realised.

Governor Akeredolu particularly urged the people to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the spirit of fairness and equality.

The governor explained that since President Muhammadu Buhari from the North is spending eight years, it is the turn of the South to produce the next president for another eight years.

Governor Akeredolu spoke while playing host to former minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

Amaechi was in Akure for the presentation of staff of the office to Chief Olu Falae as Olu of Ilu Abo in Akure North local government area.

Akeredolu noted that no loyalist of the APC can forget the principal role of Amaechi as director-general of the party’s presidential campaign in 2015.

He appreciated the former minister for coming to Akure to honor Chief Falae, adding that the monarch has served Nigeria creditably and the state is proud of him.

“Thank you for coming. Chief Falae has served this country creditably well, and we in Ondo State are very proud of him. He left the Bank, became the minister of Finance, and also served as secretary to government of the federation. So, he has done his best and up till now when he is less busy he will find time to advise us”, the governor said.

Earlier, the former minister of Transportation thanked Governor Akeredolu for recognising and elevating Chief Olu Falae, describing him as one of the few Nigerian elites who are prominent, patriotic and had served Nigeria diligently.

“Because I campaigned for presidency, I knew Chief Olu Falae. We visited his house in Akure. So I came to visit Chief Olu Falae whom you have kindly recognised with the panel report”, he added.

Amaechi lauded Governor Akeredolu for his leadership qualities and for always being at the forefront of good governance in the country.

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Kaffy And Ex-husband, Reunite For Their Son's Birthday

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Kaffy shared photos from the celebration on Thursday and captioned them; "About yesterday, for the love of King Sean."

Recall that in January this year, Kaffy revealed that their marriage had packed up and they are divorced.

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UK Meeting: Aggrieved PDP Governors Demand Tinubu's Support In Five States

 The five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors have demanded the support of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, for the PDP governorship and senatorial candidates in their respective states, The PUNCH has learnt.

It was gathered on Thursday that this was part of the conditions presented to Tinubu during his meeting with the PDP governors in London, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.

In attendance at the meeting were Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu states.

The governors alongside Donald Duke, Jonah Jang, Olusegun Mimiko, former governors of Cross River, Ondo and Plateau states, respectively, as well as a Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, are defiant in their call for the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairman of the party.

A reliable source disclosed that the five governors were concerned about their political careers and sought assurances from Tinubu.

Though Wike is not contesting for any position in the 2023 elections, he was said to be concerned about his protégé, Siminalayi Fubara, who is the Rivers State PDP governorship candidate and the PDP senatorial candidates in the state.

On the other hand, Makinde is running for a second term while Ortom will be contesting as the Benue North-West Senatorial District candidate in the polls.

Also, Ikpeazu is the PDP candidate for Abia South Senatorial District and Ugwuanyi is running for the Enugu North Senatorial District.

However, there are different accounts of the final decisions of both the governors and Tinubu on the demand.

A source close to Tinubu told The PUNCH that a final agreement could not be reached as a result of the ‘complex demands’ by the governors.

According to him, the PDP governors made an overture to Tinubu to guarantee both the senatorial and governorship seats in their states, a demand the former Lagos State governor could not grant immediately as he needed to consult with his advisers and loyalists.

The APC chieftain confided in our correspondent that Tinubu may not be willing to concede to the demand with less than two months to the 2023 elections.

He said, “The G-5 governors do not hold the four aces. As it stands, they are actually seeking shelter. The major hitch we have is that all the members of the G-5 demanded for the governorship and senatorial seats in exchange for the big prize.

“Now, the question is, how are going to throw our people in Rivers, Plateau and Benue under the bus? I am worried about Benue, where we have low-hanging fruits. Of course, it is obvious we are set to win Benue with Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, who we are sure will sweep the governorship poll.

Makinde’s issue

“There is also the APC governorship candidate (Teslim) Folarin who is prominent in Oyo. These are complex situations we are still grappling with and I can tell you that is where we are. The PDP governors are astute people who are very good in politics.’’

The source also noted that there were increasing pressures on the APC presidential candidate to call the bluff of the Integrity Group by not conceding any positions to them.

Except for Rivers, the party chieftain said it had been projected that Benue and Oyo would fall because of the volume of mobilisation campaigns that had been carried out in the two states.

“Whether Makinde likes it or not, Oyo will fall. Abia has never been our ground. We also lost in Enugu and Benue in 2019 where we failed to get 25 per cent. Yet, we still won the presidency.

“I can tell you without Ortom, we have a very good chance of winning Benue in 2023 with Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia. But we know Rivers State is where we are very vulnerable and may need Wike to push up. These are the five states that we lost yet won the presidential election in 2019.

“The truth, however, remains that Asiwaju knows that these five states are not the tipping points to win. It is just to make his victory double sure that we have to pitch tent with them. But as I told you, they are not in a position to stamp their feet, draw the line and impose conditions on Asiwaju. Their support is inevitable because these governors really have nowhere else to go,” he said confidently.

On whether there is a chance Tinubu might meet the group again in January before they announce their preferred candidate, the politician disclosed that the negotiation had not ended.

Tinubu’s plan

He said, “It is an ongoing conversation. The point is that Asiwaju must carry the people (candidates) within those states along with our internal structures. Asiwaju must consider these factors before opting for a pyrrhic victory. He will talk to other leaders of our party.”

But a source in the PDP governors’ camp confirmed the demand they placed before Tinubu. He, however, said that a decision had been taken regarding the governors’ support for the APC standard bearer.

“Agreements have been reached and decisions have been taken. The announcement will be made in January. The people will be informed on the decisions that have been made,” he said.

On his part, the Media Director of the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign council, Bayo Onanuga, declined comments on the issue.

Onanuga stated that aside from knowing that the governors were backing his principal, he had no idea about their alleged conditions.

“I don’t want to speculate on this issue. I don’t know what was discussed. But I know that the G-5 governors are backing Bola Tinubu. I can’t go further than that.

“After all, the governors said they will announce their preferred candidate in January. Why not wait for them?” he stated.

‘Govs’ offer positive’

Also, a presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, in a tweet on Thursday, stated, “The offer put forward by the five governors was fantastically positive. That will definitely help us seal our victory. Let us do it together.”

The spokesman for the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign council, Festus Keyamo, also shied away from discussing the G-5 demands.

Instead, he blamed the leadership of the PDP for the woes in the party.

Keyamo disclosed that he had always known long before now that collapsing the zoning process to accommodate the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would lead to the implosion of the party.

He stated, “The PDP has turned to a caricature that people now laugh at. We always knew the PDP implosion will come even before the primaries. We were waiting for it to happen.

“When it was very obvious to zone the presidency to the South, the PDP was too scared to take the bold step. Whereas, this same thing could have happened to us if the Northern APC governors had not risen to the challenge boldly and zoned the presidency to the South.

“Even when the ruling party was dilly-dallying on the issue, the governors took the bull by the horn and zoned it to save the APC from this kind of implosion the PDP is having. This is what they should have done. They actually met and agreed the presidency should come to the South in Asaba but (Delta State governor, Ifeanyi) Okowa stabbed them in the back.’’

Meanwhile, there are indications that the aggrieved PDP governors would arrive in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday (today) after their meeting with Tinubu in the UK.

The PUNCH gathered that they equally met with a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who has been in detention in London for alleged involvement in an attempted organ harvesting since June.

A close aide of one of the governors dismissed the threat by the PDP leadership to sanction the governors, saying they did nothing wrong to warrant the invocation of relevant provisions of the party constitution on the discipline of members.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity stated, “They will brief the press tomorrow (today) as soon as they arrive in Port Harcourt. They may speak on their preferred candidate of course but their stand is that the party cannot sanction them because they have not done anything wrong.

‘’As it is, they believe they are championing a cause backed by the PDP constitution in matters of fairness and equity. So, their argument is that they are on track in demanding that after eight years of Presidency in the North; the South should be supported to have a shot at it.’’

In his reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba told The PUNCH that the PDP would not address the issue until the governors speak on their preferred candidate, saying, “Ours is a party of order and rules. Until we get to the bridge, we won’t cross it.”

On his part, the immediate past National Secretary of the party and member of NEC, Ibrahim Tsauri said the leadership of the party would act at the appropriate time.