Endorsing APC Muslim-Muslim ticket condemnable, HURIWA tells Wike, other G-5 members

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) on Saturday, warned five aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party known as the G-5 or the Integrity Group against endorsing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress by striking a deal with APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement said the rumoured endorsement of Tinubu by the G5 is a betrayal of constitutional democracy and a gross injustice which negates the federal character principles.

According to reports, the five aggrieved PDP governors have demanded the support of Tinubu for the PDP governorship and senatorial candidates in their respective states as a precondition to support him after their meeting with the former Lagos State governor in London on Thursday.

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The G-5, which includes Wike, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) have been at loggerheads with the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the wake of the party’s presidential primary and have asked for the resignation of PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Although Wike on Friday tried to cover up the plot when he said himself and his allies have not struck a deal with any presidential candidate ahead of next year’s election, HURIWA warned that the G5 should not betray justice and fairness which they are fighting for.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “Section 318(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 is clear on federal character principle as one to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation. However, the APC acted in total violation of this principle with the selection of a fellow Muslim, a former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate.

“Any deal struck by the G5 with Tinubu is condemnable and it is a betrayal of themselves and constitutional democracy If it is true that the group is endorsing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of All Progressives Congress which will mean negating the federal character principles of the Constitution, then the G5 is a sham and Nigerians should not take the five governors seriously because they are on the lookout for their selfish interests and not the interests of Nigerians.”