Wike vs Okowa: PDP sets up c’ttee to pick Atiku’s running mate

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a committee for the selection of the party’s vice presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

The committee comprises governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), members of the Board of Trustees, and former governors.

The latest development is coming amidst the directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to political parties in the country to submit the list of their candidates and running mates (presidential and governorship) from June 10 to 17, 2022.

The Star had reported that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the directive during a meeting with resident electoral commissioners in Abuja on Thursday.

However, it was gathered that the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, were being considered for the vice president slot.

The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had on Wednesday met with governors elected on the platform of party over the selection of his running mate for the 2023 general election.

Although the details of the meeting were not disclosed, the PDP standard bearer confirmed the meeting via a tweet on his verified Twitter handle.

READ ALSO: PDP: Tinubu is not Atiku’s match

“My meeting with the @OfficialPDPNig Governors’ Forum today gives delightful assurance that the fabric of unity in our party continues to be strengthened. The energy to work together to win the general election and start the work of rebuilding the country is overwhelming,” Atiku wrote.

The former Vice President emerged as the PDP presidential candidate at the party’s primaries held on May 29, polling 371 votes, while his closest challenger, Wike, came second with 237 votes.

Speaking on the committee set up for the selection of the vice presidential candidate for the 2023 polls, the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed that the main opposition party would announce Atiku’s running mate next week.

Ologunagba, however, declined to reveal the names of those being considered as the running mate.

“We have set up a committee on the running mate; when it comes out with its decision, it would be announced.

“We don’t do things by speculations. There is a process, we don’t work without planning. We would follow due process, we consult, that’s what we are doing.

“When we are done with consultations, you would hear the outcome. Whether they met today (Thursday), whether they didn’t meet, that’s not relevant. When they have done their work, you would know the outcome,” the PDP spokesman told PUNCH.

When asked about the names of the committee members, Ologunagba said: “You don’t need the names. All the organs of our party are represented: the National Working Committee, the Governors Forum, the Board of Trustees, and the Former Governors Forum are all represented. All the organs of the party and relevant stakeholders are involved in the consultations.”

The Star