2023: Okowa May Emerge Atiku’s Running Mate

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

As parties are gearing up to fill in the slot of the vice-presidential positions of various parties for the 2023 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party standard-bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lowered to one person for deliberation as his running mate.

Sources said Atiku’s supporters were wrapping-up talks on the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the role of the vice president.

Except for a final minute change, Okowa may be disclosed as the running mate of the fore-front candidate for the 2023 race.

Okowa had played a prominent role in Atiku’s emergence as the standard-bearer of the PDP during the party’s convention last May.

This also gave Okowa an upper hand to be recognised before Mr. Atiku, apart from other monetary aid incurred by the former to the latter.

A source said, “Okowa mobilised resources for us during the primary. He is the preferred contender even though others are making case for Wike and Udom.”

In the meantime, the report of a PDP committee, including governors, members of the National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees, put in place to quest for a suitable running mate is anticipated to be ready today Tuesday.

The Party via its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologbunagba, reacting to the matter, did not give any specifics but rather advised that time would be the judge after consultations are concluded in the week running.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, parties have until June 17, 2022, as the final day for the submission of candidates for the presidential jobs.