14th June, 2022
The Peoples Democratic Party will decide the running mate for presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the next 48 hours, after the party narrowed its search to three candidates.
These are Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta.
Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel is not out of contention yet.
Contrary to reports that the General Aliyu Gusau committee set up by the party to aid the VP search has settled for Wike, party chairman Iyorchia Ayu said no decision has been made yet.
He said the party will announce its decision in the next 48 hours.
The Gusau committee met Tuesday night at the party headquarters in Abuja
Ayu told the committee: “The candidate (Atiku) wrote to us as the administrative arm of the party on the choice of his running mate.
“Our presidential candidate this time has decided to carry everybody along unlike 2019 when he didn’t consult widely in his choice of running mate.”
Those at the meeting which is being chaired by the Deputy National North Ambassador Umaru Damagun are Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
Others are former governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers) Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu.
Earlier reports said the Gusau committee was strongly in support of Wike over the two others, such as Okowa and Emmanuel.