The pawn among PDP’s G-5
The aggrieved governors are determined to slug it out with the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the country rather swiftly moves to the February, 2023 general elections. The five PDP’s governors have however yet to endorse either of the other two top candidates (Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi).
The five governors who strictly oppose Atiku Abubakar include Samuel Ortom, the leader of the PDP’s G-5 which dubs itself as “integrity group”, Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Victor Ikpeazu. There is one in their midst who is a pawn and ought not to be among the men for some reasons.
All but one of the governors are in their second term and they won’t be seeking another term of four years. In the past, aggrieved governors are always in the last four years. Babangida Aliyu, Rotimi Amaechi are some immediate examples. They conspired against the presidential candidate of their party.
But Mr. Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor, is playing along with Ortom-led G-5 without adequate knowledge of the risks involved in their anti-party activities. He is the pawn among PDP’s G-5.
The governor risks losing his second term bid. He commenced his campaign last week and the other four men were at the popular Mapo Hall, Ibadan for the event. They campaigned for the aspiring lawmakers on the PDP platform and ostensibly shunned Mr. Atiku Abubakar.
The presidential election comes first, and if the PDP loses it, the All Progressives Congress will be emboldened at the state level. The opposition party (in Oyo State) will campaign on the mantra for being aligned with the party at the national level. Hence, the APC can take over Oyo State by defeating Seyi Makinde in March, 2023.
And Atiku Abubakar himself can overcome the ordeal and win the election. He is popular across the country and his party, PDP, has structure. Losing the five states may not stop him from making it to the top office.
If Atiku wins, there is tendency of shunning Makinde as well in the state. For sure, he will pay back Makinde in his own coins. It should be noted that Atiku’s silence doesn’t mean he’s ignorant of what the aggrieved governors say and do.
No matter what happens in the general elections, Mr. Seyi Makinde is exposed. Some of the other four governors are heading to the House of Senate. They have enjoyed eight years in office already as state’s governors.
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