The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today, Thursday, screen the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as the running mate of Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the Party.
This revelation emerged shortly after the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) held yesterday at the party’s National Secretariat.
This is even as political pundits from the South-East geo-political zone are demanding that running mate to Atiku be given to them in the spirit of equity, fairness and balance.
Recall that there has been some kind of controversies on the choice of Wike, following a linked video where the Rivers State governor said he will not be a Vice-President.
However, in the mock election conducted by the PDP advisory council headed by Deputy National Chairman (North) Ambassador Umar Shehu Damagun, Wike was said to have come tops, ahead of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta State and Udom Emmanuel, of Akwa Ibom State.
The opponents to Wike as running mate to Atiku uploaded a video of his media interviews which trended on social media, in which the Rivers state governor swore never to take the vice-presidential slot.
The anti-Wike group are of the view that he should not be given the position having vowed not to accept the offer in the instance.
The Iyorchia Ayu-led party, which set up another committee to screen the potential vice presidential candidate forthwith, was seen in some quarters as compounding issues.
The new committee is headed by former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, while former Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, and former Aviation Minister, Ostia Chidoka, are members.
Others are: Binta Bello, Mutiat Adedoja, Austin Opara, A’isha Madawaki, George Ologun, Chidiebelu Mofus, Fidelis Tapgun and Akilu Indabawa, who will serve as Secretary.
An issued press statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the National Working Committee (NWC) set up the committee pursuant to Part V1, paragraph 14 of the Electoral Guidelines of the Party.
He said the Party is still consulting and has yet to take a position.
