PDP Speaks On Substituting Okowa As Atiku’s Running Mate

The Peoples Democratic Party on Friday ruled out the move to change the name of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate of the party.

The timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gives political parties the grace to replace candidates before the 15th of July, 2022.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has remained silent and failed to congratulate Okowa on his emergence as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.

Wike has sparked speculations of dumping PDP following his meetings with the likes of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, David Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

The party official who spoke with Leadership, said the party would not change the name of Okowa despite pressure from Wike.

He said, “The Vice President is chairman of the National Economic Council. After a robust process and mechanism that threw up a running mate, going back on it would mean the entire process was a waste of time.

“If you do your due diligence, you will see that Wike has said he doesn’t want to be Vice President. There is a video where he said he only wanted to be president and the truth is the governor is eminently qualified, having been governor for eight years, minister, chief of staff and local government chairman.”

The source added that Atiku and PDP are doing everything possible to pacify Wike after his loss.

He said, “The process is in place and you see negotiations are ongoing with the shuttle diplomacy embarked on by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi. Other people are working behind the scenes.”