G5 governors endorse all PDP candidates in Enugu, silent on Atiku

G5 governorship members have endorsed all candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State.

The group disclosed this during a PDP campaign rally in Enugu on Friday.

G5, a group of aggrieved PDP governors, is led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

The governors are concerned about the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the national leadership of the party.

Apart from Mr. Wike, other members of the group include Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and his Abia State counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu.

The grouping came after the PDP presidential primaries, where former Nigerian vice president Atiku beat Mr. Wike and others to become the party’s presidential candidate.

The group demanded the resignation of PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to pave the way for a southerner to lead the party to achieve “regional balance”.

The governor’s argument is that Mr. Ayu and Atiku are from northern Nigeria.

Supporting PDP candidates in Enugu

The PDP unveiled all its candidates and presented the party flag during a rally held at the popular Michael Okpara Field, Enugu.

Apart from Chimaroke Nnamani, the PDP senatorial candidate for Enugu East District, all other party candidates in the state, ranging from the governorship, House of Representatives, Senate and House of Assembly candidates, were all given flags.

Mr. Nnamani, who did not attend public meetings, was recently suspended by the PDP for alleged anti-party activities.

The G5 governors, during the PDP rally, endorsed the party’s candidates in the state, but remained silent on Atiku, the party’s presidential candidate.

Mr. Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State, was the only member of the G5 who was absent during the rally.

His absence is linked to the death of the PDP governorship candidate in Abia State, Uchenna Ikonne, who was chosen as his preferred replacement.

“Let me assure you that we will all pray for him, the gubernatorial candidate, Peter Mbah and his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, our colleague, Governor Ugwuanyi, who is going to the Senate and other candidates for senators, the House of Representatives and the State Assembly. elections in the state,” Mr. Wike, the G5 leader, spoke on behalf of the group during a public meeting.

“We will all give you the necessary support and ensure that you will win the elections on February 25 and March 11,” he said.

Rivers State said they and other G5 members are in Enugu to show the people that the group is behind Mr. Ugwuanyi.

“Ugwuanyi is a person you can trust. Ugwuanyi is a person you can fight with and both eyes will be closed. Ugwuanyi is a person who says yes, yes,” he said.

“And no wonder everyone in Enugu State showed it by saying, ‘Brothers, Ugwuanyi is mine, Grandma is mine.'”

In separate speeches, Governors Ortom and Makinde of Benue and Oyo State respectively said the large crowd at the rally was an indication that Enugu would remain a PDP state and all candidates of the party in the state would win the general election.

On his part, Mr. Ugwuanyi thanked the people of the country for their support for the PDP in the country since 1999.

The governor urged the public to continue to support the PDP by voting for the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Mbah and other party candidates in the state, assuring that the administration will end “strong and well” on May 29.

Speaking on behalf of all PDP candidates in the state who received the party’s flag, Mr Mbah commended the G5 governors for their “tireless pursuit of equity, justice and fairness” in the party and the state.

The gubernatorial candidate commended Mr. Ugwuanyi for providing infrastructure and investment in education and security in the state, and assured that he (Mbah) would sustain and consolidate these achievements if elected.

Mr. Mbah commiserated with Mr. Ikpeazu and the people of Abia State over the death of Mr. Ikonne, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state.