Former Senate President Pius Anyim has denied any association with the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and affirmed his continued commitment to the party. The G5, also known as the Integrity Group, consists of the governors of Rivers State—its leader Nyesom Wike—Benue’s Samuel Orton, Abia’s Okezie Ikpeazu, Enugu’s Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Oyo’s Seyi Makinde. The aggrieved governors had called for the resignation of PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, alleging a lopsided hierarchy within the party.
In a statement signed and provided to journalists in Abuja on Friday night, Anyim responded to a news report (not a Sunday report) by stating, “I want to state upfront that at no time was I part of the G5 governors or leaders.” He added that he is well‑aware of the events surrounding the PDP presidential primary and has strong convictions about why he should not be linked to the G5. “After the presidential primary, I chose to remain in the PDP as a leader and responsible citizen of Nigeria, placing the nation above my personal interests,” he said. He noted that this decision was reinforced by his experience working with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Anyim, who has claimed loyalty to the PDP since the return of democracy in 1999, also commented on the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. “During the PDP presidential primary, I, Peter Obi, and others from the South‑East met and resolved to work together to ensure the zoning of the presidential position to the South‑East, agreeing to support whichever of us secured the ticket,” he explained. When the zoning effort failed, Obi left the PDP and joined the Labour Party, while Anyim stayed until the end. “To the credit of Obi, today he has become a factor in the political equation of the 2023 presidential election. I am proud of His Excellency Peter Obi for doing what I could not do,” Anyim said.
Concluding his statement, Anyim expressed a broader belief: “Whosoever God has destined to be the next president of Nigeria is already settled, and no man can change that.”
Comments are closed for this story.