Wike: Nigeria Would Have Been In Crisis If G5 Didn’t Oppose Atiku In 2023

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has asserted that Nigeria would have plunged into political chaos had the G5 governors not taken a stand against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on Monday while addressing members of the Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP from across Nigeria, Wike claimed that the intervention of the G5 was instrumental in preserving national stability during the electoral process.

Wike, who led the group popularly known as the “G5 Governors” in the lead-up to the 2023 elections, said their opposition to PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was based on principle and a desire to uphold justice within the party.

“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, but the right thing had to be done, and we still stand by that decision.”

The G5, which comprised Wike (then Governor of Rivers State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), had refused to support Atiku, citing the party’s disregard for the North-South power rotation principle.

The group openly supported Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a southerner, whose emergence they said represented equity and national balance.

Wike insisted that the decision was made in defense of the PDP’s own constitution and the broader interests of Nigeria.

“We have continued to emphasise that the party’s constitution and that of the country should be respected. If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t have been where we are today,” he added.

He advised the current leadership of the PDP to learn from the past and avoid actions that demonstrate impunity or sideline important voices within the party.

Despite being appointed as a minister in the APC-led federal government, Wike remains a member of the PDP and continues to wield significant influence both within his party and across the political landscape.