Nigeria’s famous G-5 comprising the 5 aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have given impossible conditions to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu in exchange for their support.
They demand Tinubu’s total support for PDP governorship and senatorial candidates in their respective states.
The Governors made this request during their meeting held in London, United Kingdom.
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.
Speaking with Punch, a source disclosed that the governors are concerned about their political careers and sought assurances from Tinubu.
Even though Wike is not contesting, the Rivers State Governor is concerned about his support for the PDP Governorship candidate, Siminalayi Fubara and the senatorial candidates in the state.
Unlike Wike, Makinde is running for a 2nd term in office, while Ortom is contesting for Benue North-West Senatorial District candidate.
The Governor of Abia State, Ikpeazu is the PDP candidate for Abia South Senatorial District and while his Enugu counterpart, Ugwuanyi is running for the Enugu North Senatorial District.
A source close to the APC presidential candidate in a chat with Punch said a final agreement has not been reached because of the complex demands of the governors.
The source disclosed that Tinubu could not agree to their demands immediately as he needed to consult with his advisers and loyalists.
The APC chieftain 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.
“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 said there are pressures on Tinubu to call the bluff of the Integrity Group by not conceding any positions to them.
The party chieftain said except for Rivers State, 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.
He added, “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.”
Speaking on Tinubu meeting the Governors again before announcing their preferred candidate, the source 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.”
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