The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )’s five aggrieved Governors, known as the G5, launched the party’s state-level campaigns in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Saturday.
Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers) hosted his brother governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) – at the campaign venue, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
The five governors wore black trousers, black hats, and white Etibor outfits, which are emblematic of the Niger Delta zone. Members of the party also crammed the stadium with PDP memorabilia.
The G5 has been consistent in its demand that Benue-born Iyorchia Ayu step down as PDP national chairman for “fairness and justice”, saying northerners should be the party’s chair and presidential candidate.
Both Ayu and the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar (from Adamawa State) were conspicuously absent at the campaign flag-off.
The campaign was flagged off for PDP candidates in Rivers contesting the National Assembly, State Assembly and Governorship seats.
The symbolic handing over of party flags to the candidates was performed by the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, who graced the event alongside the state’s chairman, Desmond Akawor; and former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.
Arapaja, who presented the party’s flags to PDP governorship candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, said the party will give 100% support to all candidates from Rivers.