As exclusively reported by Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN), the embattled quasi-political renegade group within the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) popularly known as G.5 Integrity Group, held a secret meeting with President Bola Ahmad Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Villa on Thursday.
The G-5 group comprised of former Governor of Rivers State (Nysom Wike), former Governor of Abia State (Okezie Ikpeazu), former Governor of Enugu State (Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi), former Governor of Benue State (Samuel Ortom), and returning Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
Wike was visiting the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the third time in one week. Along with the other four members, the group, who have been friendly with President Tinubu as well as contributed to his electoral victory in February, are obviously seeking to take advantage of their cordial relationship to further their personal political fortunes as well as those of their various States.
As earlier reported, the meeting was held behind closed doors and there were no Public Statement on the outcome of the meeting neither did any of the Governors speak to the Media.
Though they were all from PDP, they engaged the party in a dirty fight than many political watchers believe contributed greatly in the poor electoral performance of the party in the last general elections.GUN had reported exclusively that the meeting with Tinubu was at the instance of the group who wants to pledge their loyalty and go ahead to lobby for appointments.
GUN also gathered that the group is also seeking political cooperation to help check the rising influence of the Peter Obi waves in their various States.Our source said that while outright defection is being considered, they want to keep it in view but would want an appointment to give them the strength to withstand the Labour Party tsunami.
The meeting will also discuss the recruitment drive Tinubu plans to do in the South East for APC’s outright takeover of the region.
Even though Dr Ortom is the leader of this group, the effective and conspicuous leader is Wike who had earlier met with Tinubu alongside Governor Makinde.
GUN also learned that the group may also discuss the plight of their cases in various election tribunals and the need to get their support for the 10th NASS leadership that is pitching the President with Northern and South Eastern political interests.
It would be recalled that while the rebelling G5 significantly hurt their party, the PDP, they also suffered a fatal blow with three of the Governors losing their Senatorial seats to other parties during the February 25 National Assembly elections.
The trio who lost their bid include former Governors Ortom (Benue), Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Ikpeazu (Abia). While Ortom lost to a candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), both Ugwuanyi lost to Labour Party while Ikpeazu lost to Enyinnaya Abaribe of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
