Gov. Wike Hints On How G-5 Govs Worked For Tinubu, Obi Against Atiku During Presidential Election

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has hinted on how his integrity governors played their games during the just concluded presidential election that produced the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president-elect.

Wike, who spoke at the commissioning of Akpabu-Egbeda road in the Emohua Local Government Area (APC), on Friday, said the G5 Governors agreed to support Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi in the election because of their resolute stance on Southern Presidency.

The G-5 Governors who are comprised of Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ikezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Wike have had a running battle with the presidential candidate of their party, Atiku Abubakar since he emerged as the PDP flagbearer.

Wike who is the arrow head of the group had insisted that for Atiku to have their support, he must compel the party National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu to step down so as to allow southern candidate to take over as National Chairman of the party.

Atiku’s refusal to heed to their demand consequently gave rise to the literal implosion that rocked the party.

Wike had in December last year disclosed that he would publicly announce his preferred presidential candidate in January 2023. 

However, the governor did not stick to that promise till presidential election was conducted and winner declared. 

Speaking at the event on Friday, Wike said some of the G-5 Governors voted for Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour party while he and others voted for Tinubu.

According to him, the support for a southern president had nothing to do with political parties but the unity and oneness of Nigeria.

His words; “I never campaigned against Obi. I never did that. Is not that he (Obi) will do me anything, wetin he go do me? He can’t do me anything. But I felt is of no need since we (G5 Governors) are talking of Southern Presidency. 

“We (Integity Group) agreed that we will make sure that power comes to the South and that in any State where you have control, if Labour Party comes first, APC must come second and vise-versa. And we did it!”

He also commended the APC Governors for standing firm to support the Southern Presidency adding that he won’t be running for president again.

“I commend them (APC), so whether you voted for (Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi or you voted for Asiwaju (Tinubu), I have no problem with you, as far as you stood for the southern presidency,” he added.