As the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their presidential candidates and running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is fast approaching, strong indications had emerged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party, among a host of others will reveal the names of individuals that will jointly contest the presidential position in 2023, this week.
In fact, the PDP may make the decision of the running mate to its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.
It was learnt that the main opposition party had constituted a committee saddled with the responsibility to pick a Vice-presidential Candidate for the party. The panel, which comprised governors, National Working Committee members, former governors and Board of Trustees members, was given the mandate of recommending to the party the best candidate that would be acceptable to many Nigerians and help the chances of party in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.
A reliable source in the party who spoke with members of the press said the committee had already met last week but failed to reach any concrete agreement on the running mate for Atiku.
The source, however noted that the members of the committee are expected to meet this coming Tuesday, adding that whatever decision is made during the meeting is as good as final.
“The deadline for submission is June 17, so the meeting was adjourned till Tuesday, June 14, to give room for more consultation and unification efforts. They will take a final decision on Tuesday,” The source was quoted to have said.
Speaking about the list of individuals being considered for the Vice-Presidential candidate, the source disclosed that Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa are the three pencilled down for the position.
While the party hasn’t made any decision yet, the source claimed that Okowa has a better chance of becoming Atiku’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election amid claims of him being “contagious and cunning.”
According to the source, some stakeholders in the party are not convinced about the political pull of Udom if chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate of the party. The source said the stakeholders who are opposed to the emergence of Udom argued that he cannot improve the chances of the party in the forthcoming election.
As of Wike, the source claimed some stakeholders are against him because of his perceived prideful nature and ability to tongue-lashed and attack whoever is against him. This, according to the source is why many are against Wike despite coming second in the party’s presidential primary election. The Governor of the oil-bearing state is said to have the support of majority of the governors, including those from the South-East and South-South, where he hails from.
“Atiku will consult very well. He has met with the governors on the platform of the party; he has met with members of the national caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum, members of the National Executive Committee, and even former presidents and heads of state.
“The leadership of the party asked him to bring three names that he thinks he could work with and he did, which are the names people have been mentioning everywhere; Wike, Okowa and Udom Emmanuel. But I think he prefers Okowa. He (Okowa) is believed to have the support of the majority of the governors, including those from the South-East and South-South, where he hails from.
“The preference for him is also strategic. Following the need to carry along the South-East people, Okowa is Igbo from the Igbo part of Delta State. He is calm, a medical doctor and does not insult or fight people, including his colleagues. Even during campaigns, he’s not the type to speak ill of fellow aspirants or candidates.
“Therefore, it’s not likely that there will be any major opposition to his choice. Like I said, he is Igbo and he will create that needed balance between the South-South and the South-East. The Igbo will support him and people in the South-South will also support him,” the source added.
Earlier, The New Diplomat had reported that the a Chieftain of the PDP in Delta, Evance Ochuko Ivwurie described Governor Okowa as a treacherous person who cannot be trusted.
“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar cannot afford to carry (Echis Carinatus – Viper) the most lethal and deadliest of all politicians-snake in his pocket.
“This character is known to be notoriously monstrous, dangerous, contagious and irresponsibly cunning.
“Okowa will polarize and destroy PDP nationally as he has done in Delta State. Under his leadership, PDP in Delta State will never be the same united brotherly party again.” Ivwurie wrote in a Facebook post.
