Godswill Akpabio, Senate President and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, has called on Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, and his colleagues in the G5 group to establish another faction within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Akpabio’s aim is to ensure a smooth victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
During a thanksgiving reception at Wike’s residence in Rumueprikom, Akpabio expressed gratitude for Wike’s efforts in championing justice in Nigeria. He also acknowledged the G5 Governors, a group of influential politicians within the PDP who opposed the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, instead supporting APC’s Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio stated that he was proud of the G5 members and encouraged them to form another group in 2027 to ensure continued success for the APC. He even suggested expanding the group to include two additional members, making it a G7 rather than a G5.
Akpabio also addressed Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, a member of the G5, praising his leadership and recalling his prediction of Makinde becoming a governor when they first met.
The event was attended by all the members of the G5, including Wike, Makinde, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). Other notable figures present included Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, Umar Damagum, Acting PDP Chairman, and former governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), and James Ibori (Delta).