BREAKING: PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Officially Announces His Running Mate
- Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta is officially the vice-presidential candidate of the opposition PDP for the 2023 presidential election
- The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, announced Governor Okowa as his running mate on Thursday, June 16, in Abuja
- Okowa emerged the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP against Governor Nyesom Wike who had earlier been tipped as the favourite
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
FCT, Abuja - The governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, has emerged as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
The presidential flag bearer, Atiku, personally announced Okowa as his running mate on Thursday, June 16, in Abuja.
Source: Facebook
Following the announcement, Okowa will thereafter be screened by a committee already setup for that purpose.
Until early Thursday morning, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state had been tipped to emerge the vice-presidential candidate of the opposition party.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
Wike was reported to have been recommended for the vice-presidential slot by the PDP selection committee.
The governor of Rivers state Wike had scored 237 against the 371 delegate votes at the PDP presidential primary secured by Atiku, who won the party ticket.
Wike's choice allegedly rejected by party leaders
It was gathered that Governor Wike's recommendation did not sit well with many leaders of the PDP. The leaders reportedly felt that the Rivers state governor is not suitable for a position that places him a heartbeat away from the presidency.
A number of party chieftains raised concerns about the governor’s temperament, his perceived dictatorial tendencies and his propensity for picking fights even with key allies.
On the other hand, some PDP leaders reportedly argued that Governor Okowa possessed a better intellectual bent and would bring better value to governance at the federal level if the ticket is eventually elected by Nigerians.
Atiku was reported to have shared their concerns and turned his attention to Governor Okowa who was reported to have been his initial favourite for the position.
Presidency 2023: Youth advocate advises Atiku to pick Wike as running mate
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the executive director of the Platform for Youth and Women Development, Ogoegbunam Kingdom, advised Atiku to pick Governor Wike as his running mate.
In a brief email chat with Legit.ng, Mr Kingdom who called for a wide consultation said Governor Wike is the best vice presidential candidate who will deliver the entire southern region for Atiku and the PDP.
He said the Rivers state governor has massive cult followers in the south and in the middle belt region.
Source: Legit.ng
