Gov Wike A No-Show As Atiku Says ‘Tough And Difficult Decisions I Must Take Everyday’ On Okowa’s Choice As Running Mate

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was conspicuously absent as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, announced Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as running mate amidst high-wired politics which characterized the choice of a joint ticket bearer.

www.bigpenngr.com reports that unveiling Okowa before the members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) at the party headquarters, Atiku said that it was a tough and difficult decision to take going by the fact that the three contenders recommended to him were qualified to take the position.

He, however, spelled out the qualities of his preferred candidate for the plum boy stressing that he decided to pick the Governor Okowa among those recommended because he “personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve”.

“I know that he will not only add excitement to our already energized ticket and campaign, but will also help to bring focus, discipline and stability to our government, come 2023. I am pleased, therefore, to announce here my choice of Running Mate who will help to lead us to victory next year not only in the Presidential election but also in the governorship and legislative elections.

“Please join me in welcoming to the ticket the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.”

Atiku said announcing his running mate was a “difficult decision that I am called upon to take. But, as someone hoping to lead a complex country such as ours, tough and difficult decisions would remain a part of my everyday life.”

The candidate also said, “In arriving at the decision, I held wide consultations with various stakeholders in our party including our Governors, National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and other leaders to seek their inputs and their wisdom.

“In these consultations, I made clear that my running mate would have the potential to succeed me at a moment’s notice, that is, a President-in-waiting.

“In other words, the person must have the qualities to be President. The person must have an appreciation of the deep rot which our country has been put into by the rudderless APC government; understands the great suffering that most of our people are going through and the urgency of relieving them of that suffering; understands the critical importance of economic growth and development to provide our young people with jobs, hope, and a pathway to wealth.

“In addition, my Running Mate has to be someone who is not afraid to speak his mind and give honest advice, and, be by my side as I work very hard to reverse the destructive impact of the past seven years of the APC government.”