Bauchi Governor Drops Atiku, Sets Date for Formal Joining Wike, Ortom, Makinde, Others in G-5 Group

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, is said to have finalized plans to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors known as the G-5.
Only 24 hours after Mohammed met with the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to discuss their personal rift, the party’s G5 governors arrived in Bauchi state to meet with him as well.

According to Track News, Governors of Rivers, Abia, Benue, and Enugu states Nyesom Wike, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi met with Bala Mohammed on Wednesday.

Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, who is also a member of the G-5, was not present because he was said to be out of the country.

The governors who oppose Atiku Abubakar and the PDP’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, have withdrawn from the party’s presidential campaign.

The governors arrived at Bauchi’s Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport in four chartered planes – 5N-BZS, 5N-RSG, 5N-AOO, and 5N-IZY – and were driven straight to the Presidential Lodge, also known as Ramat House.

According to reporters, Mohammed discussed the developments in the party’s state chapter as well as personal issues he had with the PDP flag bearer.

The governors are expected to meet in Enugu on Saturday to witness the inauguration of the state PDP campaign council.

Mohammed is expected to attend the meeting in Enugu, where he will formally join the group of disgruntled governors.

According to a senior aide to Governor Ortom, the goal of the governors’ visit was to entice Mohammed to join them.

Track News previously reported that Bala Mohammed, speaking before a closed-door meeting with the G5 governors, said he was glad they came to visit him because he had shared some of his fears and problems in the state with them.

In the midst of the PDP’s crises and challenges, Mohammed asserted that he is secure around the aggrieved governors.

“I have a lot in common with the G-5 Governors,” he said. I was supposed to be a member of the G-5, but they excommunicated me.

“They know I have challenges in Bauchi, party challenges, treachery and mischief challenges.” You feel safe when you know you have people like them.

“I’m glad they’re here. I have the opportunity to share some of my concerns, fears, and concerns with these people.

“You are aware that it is no longer a secret that I wrote a letter to the national party about what I’ve discovered that is working against me, and I wrote it with complete honesty and sincerity, which is why the party invited me to meet with Atiku, our leader.”