Wike Or Okowa: Atiku, PDP Fix Date To Decide On Running Mate

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and the party’s leadership must decide on who to select as its running mate as the deadline by the nation’s electoral body draws nearer.

Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed 17th of June for political parties to submit a list of all presidential candidates and their running mates.

INEC had warned political parties that it does not plan to extend the deadline for the submission of the names of the candidates and their running mates, giving the parties about six days to submit the list.

Recall that the PDP had set up a committee to advise on who should be selected as Atiku’s running mate, reports have now emerge revealing that the panel, which comprises of governors, National Working Committee members, former governors and Board of Trustees members, will hold its last and decisive meeting on Tuesday.

A reliable source told The PUNCH that the panel had adjourned its last meeting to continue with consultations.

Other sources disclosed that the party might take a final decision on the issue on Tuesday.

“Our presidential candidate will be part of the meeting on Tuesday and the major organs of the party are represented as well, so the decision there is as good as final. The announcement may be delayed to ratify the choice and of course we will watch what the other parties will come up with,” one of the sources stated.

Naija News reports that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa are the two individuals leading the race for the PDP VP ticket.