Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate for 2023, wrapped up a series of consultations on his vice presidential nominee late Wednesday night.
Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, will introduce his running partner to the public this afternoon in Abuja.
According to sources close to his campaign, the announcement will be made at 12 p.m., and the nominee will then be screened by a committee that has already been appointed for that reason.
This comes after a series of discussions between the candidate and the party’s management on the subject ended on Wednesday night.
PREMIUM TIMES has learned that Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was Atiku’s final option as of Thursday morning.
“Mr Okowa would be the nominee to be announced this morning, barring any last-minute change of plans,” a trustworthy campaign official acquainted with the situation told PREMIUM TIMES. “However, in politics, even a minute is a long time.”
Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media adviser and spokesman, declined to comment on the identity of the vice-presidential nominee, telling PREMIUM TIMES that the official announcement should be made first.
“What I can say is that the candidate (Atiku) is eager to finish the process of selecting a running partner so that we can go on to the next step of removing the APC from office.” His choice will warm the hearts of all well-intentioned Nigerians.”
A committee had been formed by the party to recommend potential candidates to the former vice president.
Despite reports that the committee decisively supported Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, his endorsement did not sit well with many party officials.
Mr Wike is not appropriate for a post that puts him a heartbeat away from the president, according to the leaders.
A number of party leaders expressed reservations about the governor’s temperament, his alleged dictatorial tendencies, and his proclivity for creating disputes with crucial friends.
Some further stated that Mr Okowa possessed a higher intellectual bent and would add better value to government at the federal level if the ticket is eventually voted by Nigerians.
Atiku appeared to share their fears and switched his focus to Mr Okowa, who PREMIUM TIMES claimed was his first choice for the job.
Mr. Okowa backed Atiku in the primaries, where Mr. Wike was his main rival.
Mr Okowa will come before a screening committee of the party after his public presentation on Thursday morning.
Political parties have till Friday (tomorrow) to submit candidate names to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2023 elections (INEC).
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