Governor of Rivers State, and strong contender for the vice presidential slot of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Barrister Nyesom Wike, is yet to congratulate his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, following the latter’s emergence as the running mate to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Okowa’s nomination was announced and confirmed by Atiku, on Thursday, at an unveiling event held at the PDP headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja.
The former Vice President said he took the decision after consulting widely with stakeholders of the party. “In arriving at the decision, I held wide consultations with various stakeholders in our party including our Governors, National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and other leaders to seek their inputs and their wisdom.
“In these consultations, I made clear that my running mate would have the potential to succeed me at a moment’s notice, that is, a President-in-waiting, he said.
“In other words, the person must have the qualities to be President. The person must have an appreciation of the deep rot which our country has been put into by the rudderless APC government; understands the great suffering that most of our people are going through and the urgency of relieving them of that suffering; understands the critical importance of economic growth and development to provide our young people with jobs, hope, and a pathway to wealth.
“I know that he will not only add excitement to our already energized ticket and campaign, but will also help to bring focus, discipline and stability to our government, come 2023. I am pleased, therefore, to announce here my choice of Running Mate who will help to lead us to victory next year not only in the Presidential election but also in the governorship and legislative elections. And he will be by my side as I work hard every day to provide our people with security, revive our economy, improve education and unite our country. He has both Legislative and Executive experiences. Please join me in welcoming to the ticket the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa”, he added.
An insider source who spoke with the press said the absence of Governor Wike, National Secretary, Deputy Chairman, South-south and some NWC members is an indication PDP may be facing fresh crisis over the choice of vice President.
The source added that unless urgent steps were taken to stave off the impending doom, the party might run into a constitutional crisis that could cost it the next election.
It would be recalled that there were reports circulating online that 16 out of the 19 PDP ad hoc committee, consisting of representatives, former governors, incumbent governors, the NWC and the Board of Trustees members, tasked with the responsibility of selecting candidates for the vice-presidential slot, had earlier narrowed the choices to Governor Nyesom Wike.
The Rivers Governor polled 16 out of the 19 votes, while Okowa got only 3 votes, however, sources opine that despite the committees’ decision, Atiku singlehandedly opted for Okowa as his running mate for next year’s presidential poll.
