Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer, has said Okowa’s choice as his running mate was a very difficult decision in view of the fact that the other two persons whose names were submitted to him were equally qualified. He made this known at the party’s national caucus meeting attended by three other governors and other prominent leaders of the party.
On Tuesday, a committee set up by Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee (NWC) met and voted 16-3 in favour of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
After receiving a report from the Umar Damagum-led committee, the PDP leadership submitted the names of Wike and those of Okowa and Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, back to Atiku.
Making the clarifications, yesterday, Ayu said though the party submitted the names of the three governors, only the presidential candidate had the power to choose from among the shortlisted list.
It was gathered that after the media published the report that the vetting committee favoured Wike, the pressure was brought to bear on Atiku by party leaders opposed to the Rivers governor to reject the report.
Those opposed to their recommendation of Wike argued that he would not be a good sell to the North because of his hard stance against the Buhari administration, particularly, the court case against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) regarding the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT).
But in selecting Okowa, Atiku noted that the support of every party leader would be required to keep the PDP united. He said: “Party unity is critical not only for us to prosecute a winning campaign but also to provide good governance that our country seriously deserves and our people earnestly yearn for.”
On why he chose Okowa, Atiku said after his wide consultations with various stakeholders and party stalwarts, it was made clear that his “running mate would have the potential to succeed him at a moment’s notice, i.e a president-in-waiting.”
According to him, Okowa possesses the admirable attributes for the position of Vice-President and has the appropriate experiences in both legislative and executive arms of governance.
Okowa, according to Atiku, is someone who will remain part of his everyday life, as they navigate the leading of a complex country such as Nigeria.
“He personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve.
“He’s a serving governor who has demonstrated in his state and through his conduct, that governance is about service to the people. I know that he will not only add excitement to our energised campaign but will also help to bring focus, discipline and stability to our government come 2023,” Atiku stated.
The former Vice President noted, “today in Nigeria, we face huge challenges, which leave us little room for drama. We have to win the elections and get to work immediately.
“My running mate has to be ready to start working with me, from day one, in addressing our country’s challenges. Nigerians will not accept anything less. That is why I promised the governors of our party that my running mate will come from among them. Our current challenges call for a government that is highly focused and disciplined,” he said.
