The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
The former vice president unveiled Governor Okowa at the PDP headquarters in Abuja this afternoon.
Governor Okowa and his Rivers state counterpart, Mr Nyesom Wike had been penciled down for the role of Atiku’s running mate.
Speaking during the unveiling, the former Vice President explained that he chose Senator Okowa because he needed a deputy who would be able to speak his mind freely.
He described Senator Okowa as a level-headed experienced politician both in the executive and the legislature who would be able to step into his shoes at any time.
Alhaji Atiku said he consulted widely amongst all organs of the party before arriving at the decision.
Earlier, Okowa was welcomed to the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday with congratulatory remarks.
Okowa was at the PDP Headquarters to attend the party’s Vice Presidential screening.
Apart from Okowa, others reportedly shortlisted are Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike and the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
Abubakar on Saturday, May 28, emerged as the PDP candidate for 2023 presidential election.
Abubakar scored 371 votes to emerge as the party’s candidate defeating his close contender, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, who polled 237 votes.
Born on November 25, 1946, in Jada, Adamawa, Abubakar ran for Governor of the state three times in 1990, 1997 and 1998, when he was elected before becoming the running mate to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, which he remained the vice president till 2003.
Abubakar contested for the office of the president several times, including 2014 when he ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost in the primaries to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
