Ahead of the 2027 general election, there are indications that the G-5, a group consisting of five prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, may leave the party. This is reportedly linked to efforts by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to entice one of them to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The G-5 comprises Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former governors Nyesom Wike, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom of Rivers, Abia, Enugu, and Benue states respectively.
These PDP leaders expressed their opposition to the continued leadership of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairman of the party after Atiku Abubakar emerged as the PDP presidential candidate for the 2023 election. They also took a stand against Atiku, who ultimately lost to Bola Tinubu of the APC, now serving as President.
Reports suggest that the G-5 members have been in contact with Tinubu, even as the PDP challenges the election outcome in court. Wike, who leads the group, has made multiple visits to Tinubu at the Presidential Villa since the inauguration on May 29. This has raised concerns among PDP members about his continued affiliation with the party.
Raymond Magen, a former Principal Special Assistant to Ortom, acknowledged in an interview with Sunday PUNCH the ongoing discussions and developments within the G-5 but did not provide further details.
The newspaper quoted Magen saying that “Deep talks” were ongoing between the APC and the five opposition leaders which could lead to their defection in the months ahead.
Magen added, “They are talking on a consistent basis with the APC. These are not mere talks but deep-seated conversations between the PDP leaders and the ruling party. They may be joining the APC because there are no indications that they are still interested in what is going on in their party.
According to the paper, when asked to throw more light on his claim, the former PSA said, “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for instance, has been talking to Ortom. The talks are deepening and at the end, G-5 members are expected to take a joint decision.”
The report further claimed that a member of the PDP National Executive Committee, Diran Odeyemi, said the appointments to be made by Tinubu in the weeks ahead would reveal whether some of the G-5 leaders still have a part to play in the PDP.
Odeyemi said, “We have heard their utterances recently and they are indicative of where their hearts are. In the appointments to be made, it appears some of them may join the new government, and if that happens, it means they are already thinking about life without PDP.
“By and large, I think some of them will join the APC. They are not hiding it, just as they are no longer showing concern about the issues concerning their party. They are disappointed that their counsel was largely ignored by the PDP and now that what they feared (defeat) has come to pass; it is clear their focus is elsewhere.”
He cautioned that it appeared a one-party state would be in the offing if leaders could not stay in their party to help build it into a winning platform but prefer to join the ruling party.
“Even though it is too early to say what they are likely to do, it is all glaring for us to see where their treasures are now,” he added.
Wike and Makinde were believed to have mobilised their party members to support Tinubu.