As the waiting game continues 48 hours to the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for parties to submit names of their presidential candidates and running mates, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiochia Ayu, has expressed confidence that the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will, today and tomorrow, present a running mate Nigerians will relate well with and vote into office.
Ayu gave this assurance, yesterday, in his opening remarks at a meeting with members of the consultative committee set up to assist Atiku choose a running mate.
He said: “The presidential candidate of our party would have been here, but this morning (yesterday), 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.
“Our presidential candidate, this time, has decided to carry everybody along unlike 2019 when he didn’t consult widely in his choice of running mate.”
The meeting, which lasted into the night, had Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; former Senate President, David Mark; House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu; former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke; former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido and Senator Philip Aduda, among others in attendance.
The Southeast lost out in the battle to produce the running mate to Atiku, as the committee may have settled for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
The 20-member committee on Atiku’s running mate, it was gathered overwhelmingly endorsed Wike during a 16 to 3 vote in favour of Wike, who was runner up to Atiku in the presidential primary. The committee chairman, PDP deputy national chairman, Umaru Damagun, abstained from voting.
According to a source, the committee had earlier come up with three names for consideration – Wike, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State, before finally settling for Wike.
The source further disclosed that the committee voted for Wike, following his contributions to the development of the party. At the end of the meeting, each member “had to sign the final decision.”