2023: PDP Sets Up Committee As Wike, Okowa Battle To Be Atiku’s Running Mate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) set up a committee comprising its governors, the National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees members as well as former governors with the mandate of picking its vice-presidential candidate.

The committee met on Wednesday and Thursday, 9 June, in Abuja. The PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the setting up of the committee.

It was gathered that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, had intensified lobby of the PDP stakeholders as part of moves to clinch the post.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday gave political parties June 17 as a deadline to submit the names of their presidential candidates and running mates.

At the PDP primary held on May 29, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the presidential candidate, polled 371 votes while his closest challenger, Wike, came second with 237 votes.

According to Punch, Ologunagba indicated that the PDP would announce its vice-presidential candidate next week.

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

He said, “Yes, 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.”

When asked about the names of the committee members, Ologunagba stated, “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.”

On the efforts to reconcile the aspirants who lost during the primaries, the party said a reconciliation process was ongoing.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that Wike and Okowa had reached out to their fellow governors as part of efforts to clinch the post.

A source stated that Wike was in Abuja lobbying to be named Atiku’s running mate.

The source stated, “The governor is not in town as we speak. It is not out of place if he is pushing to become the running mate of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

“But it will be unfair if he (Wike) is not picked as Atiku’s running mate going by his contributions to the party, both in terms of finance and other levels of support.

“Don’t forget that he came second in the PDP presidential primary in Abuja, so that tells you his pedigree,” he stated.

On his part, the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, confirmed that the governor was one of the people being tipped as Atiku’s running mate.

Ifeajika said Okowa was eminently qualified for the post.

He said, “Yes, they (governors) met yesterday and today, Thursday, in Abuja. Of course, it is no longer news that governor Ifeanyi Okowa is among the people being tipped as the running mate.

“Okowa is one of those being considered. He is not only eminently qualified but acceptable by all. If there is an election, all governors, even those in the APC, will attest that Okowa is the best man for the position. He has worked hard for it.”