The rift within the upper echelons of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears unresolved as five governors under the aegis of the G5 were conspicuously absent at a meeting of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, with current and soon-to-be-inaugurated governors.
“This afternoon, I joined other party leaders at the welcome reception for newly elected and returning governors, as well as send-forth for outgoing governors of our great party, the @OfficialPDPNig,” Atiku tweeted on Friday. “While congratulating the outgoing governors for having flown the flag of our party high with pride, I urge the incoming ones to set the pace for good governance in their respective states—as the hallmark of the PDP.”
This afternoon, I joined other party leaders at the welcome reception for newly elected and returning governors, as well as send-forth for outgoing governors of our great party, the @OfficialPDPNig. While congratulating the outgoing governors for having flown the flag of our… pic.twitter.com/qWCZocPKQE
However, those absent included governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) — the G5 members. The falling-out between Atiku and the G5 began after the May 2022 presidential primary of the party, which saw Atiku emerge as the nominee, widely considered a contravention of the party’s constitution and zoning principle.
With President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner and All Progressives Congress (APC) member, on the verge of reaching the constitutional limit of two four-year terms in office, the zoning principle dictates that his successor should come from the South.
