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‘We’re Keeping The Positivity Going’ – Okonjo-Iweala Speaks Amidst US Rejection Of Her Choice As WTO DG

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2023 Elections Broke A Lot Of Trust - Okonjo-Iweala

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has reacted to the declaration that she remains the candidate most likely to finally emerge as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Iweala, a former Minister of Finance in Nigeria and ex-Vice President of the World Bank is believed to be in pole position to clinch the international job but still faces competition from South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee, her fellow finalist for the keenly contested position.

On Wednesday, 28th October, reports emerged that Iweala has emerged as the new director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), defeating fellow finalist, Myung-hee by a wide margin.

Naija News gathered that Okonjo-Iweala polled 104 votes from 164 member countries to defeat Myung-hee of South Korea in the final stage of the race for the international job.

However, hours after the news broke, the United States of America rejected her emergence, arguing that the WTO must be handled by someone who is experienced in trading, hence their preference for South Korea’s Myung-hee.

Despite the development, Okonjo-Iweala in a post on her Twitter page on Thursday evening has declared that despite all that has happened, she is keeping hope alive and ready to move to the next step on November 9.

She wrote: “Happy for the success & continued progress of our @wto DG bid. Very humbled to be declared the candidate with the largest, broadest support among members & most likely to attract consensus. We move on to the next step on Nov 9, despite hiccups. We’re keeping the positivity going!”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to do all it can to ensure that Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emerges as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The government made this known in a statement on Thursday through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.