The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a positive stance toward members of the G-5 (the party’s five disgruntled governors) ahead of a scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Members of the G-5, also known as the Integrity Group and led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, openly opposed Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate in the recently concluded 2023 general elections.
One of the reasons they refused to support Atiku was disagreement with their bid to have the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, sacked and replaced.
However, months after the general elections, the PDP Governors Forum hosted a banquet and decided to invite members of the G5 to the upcoming event.
WITHIN NIGERIA understands that the event was intended to honor the country’s main opposition party’s past, present, and newly elected governors.
According to a statement issued today by the Forum’s Director General, Hon. Cyril Maduabum, the ceremony also welcomes newly elected PDP governors and sends outgoing ones.
It listed the current governors to be honored apart from Wike to include Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who is Chairman of the Forum; Okezie Ikpeazu of (Abia State), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom State); Samuel Ortom (Benue State), Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State who is members of the G5; Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta State), and Darius Dickson Ishaku (Taraba State).
Three re-elected PDP governors will also be honored: Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.
Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Ndubusi Mbah (Enugu State), Agbu Kefas (Taraba State), Ameopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State) are among those expected to be welcomed.
The party also wanted to formally send out previous Forum Chairmen, including Segun Mimiko, Fayose, Dankwambo, and Seriake Dickson.
The event will also include a discussion on “Good Governance at the Sub-National Level: Issues, Perspectives, Expectations, and Outcomes,” which will outline the challenges facing governance at the sub-national level and potential solutions, and will be presented by Dr Muda Yusuf, a renowned economist, as Guest Speaker.
The statement added:
It is expected to be a star-studded event as invitations have been extended to the Acting PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Iliya Damagum and Members of the PDP National Working Committee, 2003 PDP Presidential Candidate and Former Vice President, H.E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and H.E. Namadi Sambo, GCON, Former Vice President, Former PDP Governors, Current and Former PDP Presiding/Principal Officers of the National Assembly, Party Leaders, Stakeholders, friends and well-wishers.
The programme will serve as an opportunity for PDP leaders, stakeholders and members to come together, since after the general election.