Ahead of 2023 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zeroed in on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as the running mate for it’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave political parties till the 17th of June to submit names of their Vice Presidential candidate.
Gov. Wike scored 237 votes to come second behind Atiku who won the presidential primary election with 371 votes. It is believed that Wike could have won the election if the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had not stepped down for Atiku and unequivocally directed his supporters to vote for the Waziri Adamawa few minutes before the commencement of voting.
In the 2019, Atiku single handedly handpicked the former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi as his running mate, a move that did not go down well with may stake holders especially the governors.
You may also wish to note that Wike had opposed to the candidacy of Atiku in 2019 and vigorously campaigned for Gov. Aminu Tambuwal who was defeated by Atiku in the primary election which held in Port Hacourt.
Meanwhile series of meeting have been going on at the parties national secretariat Abuja between the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), members of the committee charged with the selection of a running mate and other organs of the party to ensure that everyone is carried along in the decision
A reliable source who is a member of the Committee charged with the responsibility of coming up with an acceptable running mate for Atiku disclosed that members of the committee and other party stakeholders have settled for Wike.
It was gathered that though the majority of the committee members voted in favour of Wike, the final decision on the running mate will rest with Atiku.
The source who is a member of Umar Damagum (PDP Deputy National Chairman North) led Committee said ” we have agreed that Wike should be Atiku’s running mate, the presidential candidate have the final say”.
It was further gathered that the committee will meet with Wike tomorrow, Wednesday in Abuja to officially inform him and also get his reaction.
Earlier in his interaction with members of the committee, PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu charged the Damagum-led committee to come up with an acceptable running mate.
Ayu disclosed that Atiku wrote to the party’s leadership and urged them to come up with their preferred choice as running mate.
He said “the presidential candidate of our party would have been here but this morning he suddenly dashed somewhere, he apologised and if he comes early, he will join us but we will go ahead with the assignment he has given us.
“The candidate wrote to us as the administrative arm of the party on the choice of his running mate. Various organs of the party are well represented in his committee, National Working Committee (NWC), governors forum, national assembly and former governors forum.
“I wish you a successful deliberation and I hope you come up with a conclusion between tomorrow and Friday”.
Ayu commended Atiku’s decision to carry everybody along unlike in 2019 when he didn’t consult widely in his choice of running mate.
Members of the committee who attended the meeting include former President of the Senate President, David Mark, House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
Others include “former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke, former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Philips Aduda, PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature.
Meanwhile, the party has constituted a 12- man committee led by Tom Ikimi to Chair the Vice Presidential candidates screening exercise.
A credible source from the party disclosed that after an extensive deliberation where Govs. Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Okowa, Ifeanyi Okowa, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Emeka Ihedioha were considered, the Vice Presidential Nomination Committee settled for Gov. Wike of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
A statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba named Dr. Akilu Indabawa as the Committee Secretary just as Mr. Sunday Omobo was announced as Administrative Secretary.
He said, “Pursuant to Part VI, Paragraph 14 of the the Electoral Guidelines of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the nomination of the following Party members to serve on the Vice Presidential Candidate Screening Committee for the screening/verifying of the nominated Vice Presidential Candidate of our Party for the 2023 general elections”.
According to Ologunagba, other members of the committee are Chief Osita Chidoka – Member, Rt. Hon. Binta Bello – Member, Chief Mrs. Alh. Mutiat Adedoja – Member and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara – Member.
Also on the committee are Prof. Aisha Madawaki – Member, Mrs. Ayotunde George-Ologun – Member, Chief Mrs. Chidiebelu Mofus – Member and H.E. Fidelis Tapgun – Member
The party said that the screening exercise will hold at the National Working Committee (NWC) Hall, PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja on Thursday, June 16, 2022. at 10am.
