In a recent report by U.S.-based Nigerian investigative journalist Jackson Ude, President Bola Tinubu is alleged to have struck a significant deal with the former members of Nigeria’s “G-5 Governors” coalition.
This deal reportedly involves stopping investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into alleged corruption and financial misconduct by the former governors.
The so-called “G-5 Governors” include Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. This group of former governors, all from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had made headlines previously for their critical stance toward PDP leadership and were known for publicly dissenting from the party line.
According to Ude, the deal was reportedly brokered by Nyesom Wike, now the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, who met with Tinubu shortly after the latter assumed office.
During this meeting, Wike allegedly helped to secure an agreement under which the EFCC would halt any investigations into alleged financial improprieties by these former governors. In return, the G-5 Governors are said to have pledged their ongoing support to Tinubu’s administration and their commitment to keeping the PDP destabilized.
The EFCC, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, has reportedly abandoned several pending petitions against these former governors. These include accusations against Samuel Ortom involving alleged money laundering and embezzlement exceeding N2.4 billion, as well as similar allegations against Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
