Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained how the Peoples Democratic Party’s G5 bloc approached the 2023 presidential election in the South-South, saying the group’s focus was to limit former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s support in the region.
Wike made the remarks in Abuja while speaking after an inspection of ongoing FCT projects, where he also discussed preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to Wike, the G5 considered Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, a bigger political threat than Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.
He said the strategy was therefore to encourage support for Obi in areas where that could reduce the number of votes available to Atiku.
“Our strategy was that, listen, you vote, make sure that you vote for Obi to win, in order to deny Atiku the votes,” Wike said.
Wike argued that the South-South had traditionally been a stronghold of the PDP and that a unified vote for Atiku could have significantly increased his support in the region.
He, however, rejected suggestions that the strategy amounted to manipulating election results in Rivers State.
The minister questioned whether those alleging that Obi won Rivers State had presented alternative election results before the tribunal to support their claims.
Wike also maintained that political groups routinely develop strategies during elections and are not required to publicly disclose their plans.
He said the G5’s calculations were based on identifying the candidate they considered the main political threat and taking steps to reduce that candidate’s support.
The minister further argued that social media activity should not be treated as a substitute for actual voting figures, noting that Nigeria has a large number of polling units spread across the country.
Wike said the group’s strategy was directed primarily at Atiku rather than Obi because of the PDP’s established strength in the South-South.
His latest comments have renewed discussion about the role of the G5 governors in the 2023 presidential election and their decision not to support Atiku’s campaign.
The G5 comprised Wike and four other PDP governors — Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi — who opposed Atiku’s presidential bid amid their demand for a change in the party’s leadership structure.
Wike also disclosed that his political camp has developed a strategy for the 2027 election, although he declined to reveal its details publicly.
