Wike: G5 Governors Saved Nigeria from Post-Election Crisis in 2023

Abuja, Nigeria — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the bold stance taken by the G5 governors during the 2023 general election was instrumental in stabilising Nigeria’s political landscape and preventing potential national crisis.

Wike made the statement on Monday while addressing members of the “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP” drawn from across the 36 states and the FCT. He insisted that the controversial decision of the G5 to reject their party’s presidential candidate was necessary for the good of the country.

“You may like us, you may hate us; the truth is, if the G5 did not take our decision, this country would have been in crisis,” Wike said. “It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was — the right thing had to be done, and we still stand by that decision.”

The G5, a coalition of five then-sitting governors in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had opposed the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the party’s 2023 presidential ticket should have been zoned to the South in line with what they described as a fair North-South power rotation arrangement.

Led by Wike, the G5 comprised Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). Their rebellion and refusal to campaign for Atiku were widely seen as a major setback for the PDP, which eventually lost the election to Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) — the candidate backed by the G5.

Despite the backlash, Wike maintained that the group has no regrets. “We have continued to emphasise that the party’s constitution and that of the country should be respected,” he said. “If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t have been where we are today.”

Wike also urged PDP leaders to shun arrogance and impunity, warning that greed and ego could further damage the party. “Ours is to continue to pacify people and bring them together… Let us not allow ego to kill our party,” he cautioned.

The meeting, aimed at repositioning the PDP amid ongoing internal wranglings, was attended by several key party stakeholders, including former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom, and Okezie Ikpeazu. Also present were PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda.

Wike expressed confidence in the PDP’s resilience, affirming that the party can overcome its current challenges if unity and internal democracy are prioritised.