Udom: I feel empty without G5 governors on Atiku’s campaign train 

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, says the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a height where sacrifices must be made to attain peace.

He said he feels empty without the presence of Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, on Atiku’s campaign train. 

Udom, who is the chairman of the PDP presidential campaign council, said this on Thursday when Ortom paid him a visit in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state capital. 

Udom said the party will do everything necessary to put things in order for Atiku to win the 2023 presidential election. 

“We all came in as a family, whether you like it or not. These are brothers even in the parable of the lost sheep in the Bible, only one sheep got missing and Jesus Christ left the rest and went after that one. How much more when you have brothers that are up to five,” he said.

“You turn around on a campaign platform and you don’t see them. Suddenly, you will feel you need them. These are people that we started together. I think I still feel empty that we are not all together on a campaign platform but when it comes to governance, we are all together and we have mutual respect for each other.

“We listened to each other and we tried to look at the way forward and I want to believe it is getting to that point where sacrifices must be made so that there can be peace. 

“Someone like me, I am pursuing peace and I want peace to reign and once we can achieve that, our party will coast into victory

“We are ready to make peace and I can assure our party that these are governors who have structures, and something to show. These are governors who have capacity. 

“We will do everything possible to put the house together on the 2023 campaign, but when it comes to governance we are still as intact as ever.”

The G5 governors have been at the forefront of calls for Iyorchia Ayu to step down as national chairman of the PDP on the grounds that the presidential candidate and chairman cannot be from the same region.