PDP threatens to sanctions G5 governors

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened sanctions against five of its aggrieved governors known as the G5, following alleged meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in London, on Tuesday.

Led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his counterparts, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Samuel Ortom of Benue and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, the governors reportedly met with Tinubu in London.

The governors had withdrawn support for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP, over demand that the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, resign his position.

Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, last week, promised to announce a preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election in January.

The G5 governors are currently in London, where they reportedly met with Tinubu. At the UK meeting, it was alleged that Tinubu had lobbied them to endorse him for the 2023 presidency.

While reacting to the purported meeting, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Wednesday, said the party would resolve to sanctions on the erring governors and “apply relevant provisions of its constitution if the need arise.”

“The PDP is a party of constitution, rules and procedures. We don’t react to speculations. In taking decisions, we look at our party constitution in relation to issues. Whatever happens, it is the constitution that will guide the action we will take.

“These governors are conversant with the PDP constitution, having sworn to uphold it. If they take that action of endorsing a rival presidential candidate, we will take a decision in line with the provisions of the constitution.

“They have contributed to the success of the party and they have also benefited immensely from the party. They should know that the provisions of the constitution are applicable to every member of the party.

“Reconciliation is not 100m dash, but a marathon. We hope they will realise this and embrace the party for good”, he said.

Earlier, Ologunagba had said the party has no plan to sanction the G-5 governors.

Ologunagba, on Tuesday night, said it was premature for anyone to conclude that the purported trip of the G-5 governors to London, was to decide which presidential candidate to support for the 2023 poll.

“As a party, we don’t react to emotions. Rather, we respond to facts as they unfold. We don’t preempt people’s actions. So, it is premature for anyone to say that the party will sanction the G-5 governors or anyone else for that matter.

“We don’t see anything wrong in people meeting over issues concerning the party. As a matter of fact, various individuals and groups within the party have been holding meetings here and there, all geared towards the good of the PDP. So, we believe that the aim of the G-5 cannot be different”, he said.

Ologunagba said the media and a section of the public may have been imputing wrong motives for some actions of the five governors.