2023 presidency: Atiku dumps Wike, announces Okowa as running mate

Less than 24 hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for political parties to submit names of 2023 presidential candidates and running mates, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has announced Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

The former Vice President who announced this at the party headquarters in Abuja, Thursday, stressed that “party unity is critical for winning the 2023 general election and we must not take anything for granted”.

Atiku explained that he picked Okowa because he will work with him to unite the country and rebuild the country.

A 17-man committee set up to pick a running mate for Atiku had voted for Wike as the party’s choice, followed by Okowa and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom state.

A source said that Wike had scored the majority of the votes cast by the members of the committee led by Ambassador Umar Damagun.

READ ALSO:ATIKU: Wike, Okowa battle for VP; PDP rejects one, forfeits only battleground state it controls

Members who attended the meeting include: Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former Cross Rivers State Governor, Liyel Imoke; Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Oluwole Oke, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Professor Stella Effah-Attoe.

Others include former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko; PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature; former senate president David Mark, Senator Phillip Aduda, Honourable Theophilus Shan.

However, in a surprise move, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)  Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has picked Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

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