Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims that he is the only member of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G5 governors benefiting from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Wike made the clarification on Monday during an interview on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout, while discussing his relationship with the President and the political activities surrounding the former G5 governors ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Rivers State governor explained that he consulted the PDP at the state, zonal and national levels before accepting Tinubu’s nomination as a minister, saying the party structures supported his decision.
“I do not understand what they say by enjoying Mr President,” Wike said.
He added, “When I was nominated by Mr President to be considered as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I did write to the party. First of all, I wrote to my Governor; I wrote to my party at the state, zone, and national level.”
According to Wike, the party stakeholders unanimously backed his participation in the Federal Government because they believed he could contribute to governance.
“All of them, in a unanimous decision, said, look, you have to be a part of the government because we believe that our contribution will make a change,” he said.
Wike also pointed to appointments and other forms of government support received by some of the former G5 members as evidence that the benefits were not limited to him.
He said former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is now Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain, while former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi serves as ambassador to Greece, according to his account.
Wike further cited support extended to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, saying the Federal Government provided funds for the expansion of the state airport.
“And Gov. Seyi, the president has also extended his hand of support to the governor of Oyo State by providing funds for him to expand Oyo airport with a whopping sum of 50 billion naira,” he stated.
On former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Wike said he was the only former G5 governor who had not accepted a formal position in the Tinubu administration.
“I do know that it is only my brother, Gov. Ortom, who said he does not want a position but wants to continue to work for Mr President,” Wike said.
The former G5 governors — Wike, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi, Ortom and Makinde — were central figures in the PDP’s internal disagreements ahead of the 2023 presidential election. Their political positions have since evolved, with Wike serving as a minister in the Tinubu administration, while Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi have taken up diplomatic appointments.
