By Charles Kumolu, Deputy Editor & Dapo Akinrefon, Deputy Politics Editor
A member of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Integrity Group, a group of five governors (G5 Governors), Chief Olabode George said maneuvering can take the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar to Aso Villa, but he will need character to sustain himself.
George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, stated this in an exclusive interview with Vanguard.
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He said, “When you have built a house, make sure you don’t tamper with the foundation. Maneuvering can take you to the Villa but what sustains you there is character. If Nigerians decide to vote for Atiku, I will not because of this principle. If he becomes the President, it is his character that would sustain him.
“He is my friend, but if you are not bold enough to tell your friend that what he is doing is not right, someday the larger being will ask you. I will not vote for Atiku because of that principle. If we accept the injustice, we are going back to those days of darkness when justice, fairness, and equity could be thrown away because of tribalism.
“Yes, he (Atiku) can win. He can manipulate. If they call me, I am ready for any debate based on the truth. We know what our constitution says. Now, you want to start tampering with the taproot. You are trying to reinvent and rebuild the super foundation.
“It will not stand, let it be. We must have a conscience. We must be bold enough to tell the truth to power. For all of us that are there, everybody is shouting Wike. He is a courageous young man. He has showcased the capacity to impact positively. I saw what he has done with his share of 13 percent derivation.
“Everybody now knows that he was not just complaining because he lost the election. That is gone. Let us do what is just, what is equitable and what is right to stabilize Nigeria. We are wobbling. The mistrust between tribe A and tribe B is so much now. I am not saying maybe we will get there or not, but let us do what is right. Let us tell the truth to power,” he said.
Meanwhile, George said the G-5 is unperturbed that their stance may lead to a disastrous outing in February next year.
The G-5 governors and party elders have been demanding the exit of the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, insisting that they may not be dropping their demand as the 2023 presidential election approaches.
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