As Atiku and the G-5 Governors explore reuniting, Obi gains ground in the South-South
Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, and the G5 governors, who are led by Governor Nyesom Wike, appear to be making peace after months of conflict.
The G5 governors are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and Mr Wike.
During a meeting with the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, Governor Wike stated that his faction is amenable to reconciliation.
Wike has previously assured journalists that the door to a reconciliation was always open.
“In actuality, that is what PDP is known for. The door has never been closed, and we would never do so. We are only requesting that the proper thing be done. The entire nation would be aware that the election was finished if the correct thing was done, he claimed.
Although the earlier demand that Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP’s national chairman, resign, appears to be part of the olive branch, Atiku seems to be interested in making amends.
Through a statement made by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, Atiku said that he is equally amenable to peace.
According to sources close to Governor Wike’s campaign, the previous several weeks’ events have demonstrated to Mr Atiku that he cannot win the election on his own.
Multiple reports claim that a group of southern governors who are also Christians may work in Mr Atiku’s favour. Atiku is expecting that the North would perceive this as such and support him as a result.
Atiku is rumoured to be pondering reconciliation after the governor of Bauchi State decided to support Atiku’s opponents.
According to insiders, Atiku’s political strategy depends on the North handing him a bloc of votes.
Additionally, Governor Ortom’s recent remarks helped him in this regard. However, Atiku was much alarmed by Bala Mohammed’s remarks and swiftly patched the gap.
To exert the most pressure, the G5 governors met again, and it was revealed that Governor Mohammed had counselled the governors against turning the conflict into a religious one.
The current state of affairs might make the G5 governors appear weak, especially with Ayu still holding the seat, should Atiku and the governors reach an agreement.
There is also the influence of Obi in the south-south, who has so far resisted Atiku’s camp’s predictions that his momentum would soon wane.
The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, predicted that the Obidient Movement will lose momentum shortly after a few weeks ago.
People who claim to be Obidients will, of course, be, but they will lose interest.
How many individuals have been able to do what we are doing? We know how to run elections.
You get it, they can’t even organize their campaign council, let alone set up an election schedule,” he stated at the PDP campaign council’s inauguration.
According to reports, Governor Obaseki also turned down the Labour Party’s request to use the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for a rally.
Mr Obaseki revealed that the State forbade the party from utilizing the venue during an appearance on Politics Today.
In response, the LP party held a sizable gathering in Benin City, the capital of the Edo State, where hundreds turned out to support the Labour Candidate.
The strength of Atiku and the G5 governors’ rapprochement looks to be in doubt given the rise of the Obidient movement in previous PDP-strongholds.
