The demand by the G-5 governors has been described as complex and a desperate search for shelter as their political careers are on the line, a source close to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has said.
Newsonline reports that the source who prefers anonymity said the G-5, made up of governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State are afraid of their political career and their endorsed candidates in their different states.
He added that though governor Wike is not contesting for any position in 2023 election, he is concerned about his candidates for the governorship, House of Assembly, House of Representatives and senatorial positions.
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For Makinde, Ugwuanyi, Ikpeazu and Ortom, they are all concerned about their positions and that of the other candidates they have endorsed for the 2023 election.
The demand of the G-5 governor to Tinubu, the source disclosed, is that the former governor of Lagos State, Tinubu and the ruling APC will support their candidates in their states against the candidates of the APC.
However, the source said it is likely Tinubu will not accept such an offer. He said Tinubu also knows the implication of throwing the party’s candidates in the G-5 states out of the bus.
He said states like Oyo and Benue are states they are confident they would win without the support of the governors – Makinde and Ortom – the more reason Tinubu will not accept the offer.
He told Punch, “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,” he added.
Speaking on their chances in the states controlled by the G-5 governors, he continued, “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 percent. 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.”
At present, the G-5 governors who left for London to finalize the candidate between Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Bola Tinubu of the APC are reportedly in serious negotiation. They are, however, faced with reported sanctions by the PDP leadership.
