Wike, G5 PDP Govs hold stakeholders meeting, vow to keep party alive

The G5 Group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which emerged ahead of the 2023 general elections, has hosted a significant stakeholders’ meeting under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP,” with a clear message that they will not allow the party to collapse.

The gathering, spearheaded by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, brought together prominent PDP figures and loyalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Prominent among the G5 Governors present alongside Wike were former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Samuel Ortom of Benue, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia. Also in attendance were the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda, serving and former lawmakers, and several zonal and state party executives.

While addressing the meeting, Wike emphasized that those present were committed to the survival of the PDP, not just in words but through action at different party levels. He stressed that the intervention of the G5 Governors helped stabilize the country politically, regardless of who eventually benefitted.

Wike maintained that if the party had heeded the advice of the G5 at the time, the current internal troubles would have been averted. He urged the PDP to respect its constitution and avoid impunity, warning against allowing personal ego and greed to tear the party apart.

He also questioned the undue focus on the tussle for the National Secretary position, citing examples of other party members like Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, who contested for governorship positions without vacating their roles.

Speaking at the meeting, former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom hailed Wike’s contributions to the PDP, challenging anyone in Nigeria to point out a figure who has invested more in the party’s growth than the FCT Minister. Ortom stated that President Bola Tinubu recognized the importance of balancing national politics by appointing Wike into a key federal position to avoid a one-party state.

He acknowledged that the PDP made critical mistakes in the past, leading to its current predicament, but expressed optimism that the party could recover if stakeholders set aside personal interests.

As of the time this report was filed, the meeting was still in progress behind closed doors, with a formal communique expected to be released afterward.