‘G5 Governors’ stand for peace, unity, progress in Nigeria — Ortom, Ayorinde

The G5 Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said that they were passionate about the country’s workability, stressing that they stood for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

They revealed that integrity, patriotism, equity, fairness and justice were the principles behind the formation of the group, adding that it was not about any particular political party.

The Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, made the disclosure during a cultural night and dinner organised for them by Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu

Other members of the G5 at the event were Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, is out of the country for an official engagement.

In a related development, a legal luminary ,Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), has said Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and other G5 governors were fighting for justice, fairness and equity within the party.

Ayorinde also faulted insinuation that Makinde’s stance might affect this second-term chance bid.

He said the governors were fighting for the future of the party and the country.

The senior lawyer said Makinde has performed excellently as the governor by changing the face of the state with many unprecedented projects and programmes.

Ortom, who appreciated Ugwuanyi for his warm reception, said that the G5 PDP Governors want things to work well in the country.

He added: “Our passion is how can we make things work here in Nigeria by being disciplined. It is not about ourselves; it is not about our ego; it is about what we would do to turn around things and ensure the rule of law, due process and integrity in what we do so that we will have other people visiting us, so that there will be security, so that our economy will be on the right path.”

Pointing out that proffering solutions to Nigeria’s present situation was beyond political affiliation, Ortom harped on the need for all hands to be on deck to make the country work.

“The challenge is that we are going beneath the bottom. But, by the Grace of God, we will all put our hands together. It is not just President Buhari, it is not just about political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP and others, but it is how we can come together and make things work for our country, Nigeria.

“God has blessed us. We have everything that is needed to make Nigeria not just the giant of Africa but also the giant of the world.”

It would be recalled that Makinde, Wike, Ikpeazu , Ortom and Ugwuanyi have been calling for the removal of the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, to pave the way for a Southerner to become the chairman.

The governor appreciated other stakeholders present at the dinner, including the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi; the PDP State Chairman, Augustine Nnamani; the PDP governorship candidate, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; his running mate, Ifeanyi Ossai; and the Director General, PDP State Campaign Organisation, Ikeje Asogwa, for their hospitality and support.

He promised that the governors would reciprocate the gesture during the flag-off of the PDP state campaign in Enugu.