Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said has denied reports that G-5 made up of aggrieved governors of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP have reached a deal with Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress. According to Wike, the group has not struck a deal with any presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections. This is as reports emerged on the media that the governors are reportedly backing the APC flagbearer. Wike stated this during the flag-off of the construction of Eneka-Igbo Etche Road in Port Harcourt on Friday. He said, “[They said] Wike had an interview with BBC and he said we have a deal with so and so. Meanwhile, no video, no audio. And some of you waste your time listening to such things,” “Don’t you know that when I want to do something, I will do it? Don’t you know? Do you need to speculate? You don’t need to speculate. They said there is trouble but there is no trouble. What we have is an introduction to the trouble that is going to come!”“So, my dear people, I just want to tell you that whatever decision I will take, I will let you know. I cannot take any decision without taking advice from you,” the governor added. Wike however, urged ‘detractors’ to leave members of the G-5, saying, ““I just want to enjoy myself and my family.” The Rivers governor, maintained that he is not contesting an election next year and thus should not be the subject of speculations. Meanwhile, Wike has accused Atiku of holding secret meetings with governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and failing to keep to his promise of not having the PDP presidential candidate and the party’s chairman from the same region (North). The G-5, includes Wike, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). Recall that the G-5 have been at loggerheads with the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar following the fall out at the party’s presidential primary. Wike, who lost to Atiku, believes the process was unfair and the five governors maintain that the PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, must resign. Since the crisis, there have been speculations that the group has backed a candidate for the presidential election. But the Rivers governor has yanked off the reports, describing them as fake.
G-5: No deal with any presidential candidate – Wike denies striking deal with Tinubu
