The five governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some aggrieved parties announced on Sunday the formation of an Integrity Group within the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) The G5 governors led by Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike have called for the resignation of PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
Atiku defeated Mr Wike and other aspirants to emerge the PDP candidate.
Other G5 governors are Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
The governors and some leaders of the aggrieved party were, at the time of this report, holding a strategic meeting in Lagos, which may not be unconnected with the agitation to remove Mr. Ayu.
Addressing reporters before going to a closed door meeting, Makinde said the Integrity Group remained behind the PDP fight.
Mr. Makinde said, “This morning we are here for a meeting of the Integrity Group of our party, PDP. We were from the G5, which is the five PDP governors. The G5 is about the Integrity Group.
“You can see us, the five governors, the party leaders and elders you see here as the face of this struggle are the people behind those faces.”
It is not clear why the group chose to meet in Lagos, the southwestern state ruled by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lagos is the base of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, who has been fraternized with Mr. Wike and some of his supporters.
Mr. Makinde, however, spoke about the need for the meeting.
“We are in the South West to review the state of our party, to review where we are and to see what will happen in the upcoming elections,” he said.
Mr. Makinde stated that at the conclusion of the discussions, the group would fully brief the media on all issues within the main opposition party.
“On behalf of our leaders and elders in the Southwest, I want to welcome the members of the Integrity Group and wish them a warm welcome,” he said.
NAN reports that other PDP leaders at the meeting include former governors, Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo State), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Donald Duke (Cross River), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and former PDP National Vice Chairman, Bode George.
Bello Adoke, Attorney General and former Minister of Justice; PDP Southern Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja; Nasif Suleiman, Nnena Ukeje, Sandy Honor and Mao Ohabunwa.
Party leaders have repeatedly said that Mr. Ayu should resign in the interest of fairness and justice to bring peace to the party.
The aggrieved group insisted on the need for the South to produce a national chairman of the party after Mr. Abubakar became the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general elections.
While Mr. Abubakar is from Adamawa North-East, Mr. Ayu is from Benue in North-Central.
Mr. Ayu, however, said he would not step down as party president, thus ensuring that the lawsuit will continue and the party remains in turmoil.
(IN)
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