Sitting Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been picked as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Mr. Okowa’s nomination was announced and confirmed by Atiku himself on Thursday at an event in Abuja to unveil his running mate.
Atiku while speaking on his choice said his Vice President must fulfil the qualities to be president and one that could complement him as a President.
He added that he should symbolize the quality to unite Nigeria, who is not afraid to speak and give advice on governance in the country.
He also added that his running mate must understand what he described as the depth of rots in the Nigerian system, with an understanding of the critical needs of economic growth.
Following the announcement, Okowa will thereafter be screened by a committee already set up for that purpose.
Speculations had been rife that Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike was going to emerge as Atiku’s running mate.
But the party, yesterday (Wednesday), dismissed reports that its Selection Committee had settled for the Rivers State governor as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said reports in the media that the PDP had picked Wike were a rumour, adding that the National Working Committee of the party was looking into the matter and consulting, in order to consider the best vice-presidential candidate for the party in the 2023 elections.
The NWC of the PDP met in Abuja on Wednesday at 11 AM, where the advisory board resumed intense deliberations.
It later reportedly recommended the Rivers State governor after 13 of 17 members, who attended the meeting at the PDP National Secretariat, yesterday, voted in favour of Wike. At the meeting, three members voted for others, while the chairman, who can only vote when there is a tie, did not vote.
Recall that Wike had scored 237 against the 371 delegate votes secured by Atiku at the PDP presidential primary last week.
