January 19, (THEWILL) – The five aggrieved Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chaired by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, have warned that the crisis in the party could lead to defeat in the February 25, presidential election.
Ortom said on Thursday, that the leadership of the party was not sincere in reconciling with the aggrieved Governors.
Tagged G5, the aggrieved Governors include Ortom; Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Ikeazu Ikpeazu of Abia, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
They have tried unsuccessfully to force the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, Ortom hits out at Ayu in apparent frustration, describing his leadership as a failure.
He said, “No efforts by the leadership of our party have been able to address the issues that we are raising. They have not been able to adopt methods that will pacify and placate the G5. This is not right. So, on the G5, that is where we are.
“Arrogance, impunity, mischief, will not really help matters. One will expect that humility, it is said that you stoop down to conquer even if you want to make it.
“There are many ways if you have proactive leadership, a leadership that is humble. But when you treat people like they call us that ‘they are children’. I mean, a man of 62, how is he a child? A man at 50, how is he a child? But none of us is less than 40 years.
“We are leaders in our own right. Our people elected us. You can’t just sit in Abuja and make this kind of a thing.”
He added that they “are committed to issues of integrity, issues of fairness, equity, and justice.
“I think we are on course as far as I’m concerned with our group (G5). As faithful party men, we have given enough time. And we are told that the failed leadership at the national level will take advantage of the opportunity we have given them to address those issues.
“There are many ways of addressing issues even when you are not able to meet the demands of a group or individuals.
“But when people decide to be arrogant, mischievous and do things as if the other person does not exist and try to do some things with impunity, as if they have won the election, and they don’t need any other person, it becomes a problem.”
However, Ayu during the party’s presidential campaign rally in Oyo State on Thursday, highlighted Makinde’s performance and urged the people to vote for him for a second term, even as he called on “all aggrieved members to return home.”
The PDP Chairman also told the crowd to vote “PDP top to bottom,” without reservation.
Makinde, in keeping with the vow made by the G-5, boycotted the rally.
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