Politics
PDP Denies Picking Wike As Atiku’s Running Mate, Says Consultation Still Ongoing
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied reports that said Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has emerged as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidste, Atiku Abubakar.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made this known in an interview on a live programme of Arise News on Wednesday.
Oasis Magazine earlier reported that the PDP committee set up to recommend a Vice-presidential candidate for Atiku picked Wike as his running mate.
While picking Wike as its first option, the panel said the governor as the vice-presidential candidate will do better for the ticket than his other challengers.
Other candidates considered for the PDP presidential ticket are Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.
ALSO READ: Delta 2023: Court Says Oborevwori Has Case To Answer
But according to Ologunagba, the report that Wike had been chosen as the running mate to Atiku is just mere rumour and speculation.
He stated that the PDP believes in due process and that consultation was still.ongoing.
The PDP spokesman said the party would let Nigerians know who has been chosen as Atiku’s running mate at the appropriate time.
At the time of filing this report, reliable sources said three names will be submitted to Atiku before end of Wednesday for him to pick his choice.
While Wike’s old video of not accepting the VP slot but insisting for the presidential ticket could stand on his way, Okowa’s rift with Chief James Ibori could also be a stumbling block to his VP.ambition.
Time will tell if reports of Wike’s pick was a rumour or not. But as it stands, Wike seems to be ahead of others, if news from sources is anything to go by.