VP slot: Okowa most qualified, Ayu tells critics

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, is the most qualified to be the running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, stated on Tuesday.

According to him, the PDP looked around and found out that Okowa was the one best suited to assist Atiku in delivering good dividends to Nigerians.

Ayu stated this during a summit organised by the Northern Christian Youth Assembly with the theme, ‘Unifying Nigeria: The role of Northern Christian youths and women,’ in Abuja.

He said Okowa was selected based on merit and because of his humility.

He said, “We looked around and we thought we have to give not just a vice president that will assist him (Atiku), but we also did our homework to select a young man who is highly educated, very humble, and who has done very well as a governor in his home state.

“Okowa is the most qualified running mate. It is on his merit that he was selected by the party as the vice presidential candidate for Atiku Abubakar. I think Nigeria will be very lucky to have two such people who are committed to development who are detribalised, who believe in uniting this country.’’

Ayu’s explanation came on the heels of a crisis in the rank and file of the PDP with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, accusing the party leadership over alleged faulty structure.

The crisis ensued after Atiku defeated Wike in the presidential primary of the party.

Though a panel recommended Wike as Atiku’s running mate, the presidential candidate instead picked Okowa as his running mate, to the displeasure of the Rivers governor and his supporters.