Group advises Atiku on choice of running mate
The CSO says Atiku's choice of a Vice President is very important as more Nigerians are getting involved in politics.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. (PUNCH)
Recommended articles
![Speaker of the House and the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. [NAN]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Speaker of the House and the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. [NAN]")
The group said Atiku should choose a person who will add value to the ticket and ensure the victory of the PDP in 2023. It argued that the choice of a Vice President is very important as more Nigerians are getting involved in politics.
“With Peter Obi out of the picture, the South-South has become the new darling of the PDP. In recent days we have seen headlines suggesting that Delta governor, Ifeanyi Okowa is the favourite to become Atiku’s running mate.
“However, recently, we have seen Rivers governor Nyesom Wike also emerged as the favourite. One thing is clear today Alhaji Atiku will be the one who decides the person that will be his running mate. According to the NWC of the PDP, Atiku will have three options to pick from,” it said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The group which said the list also included Akwa Ibom state governor, Udom Emmanuel, urged Atiku to critically consider the credentials of the trio in deciding his choice.
“The choice of Nyesom Wike will be a crowd-puller, especially in Rivers where Atiku did not do well in 2019. Wike is also a lion and mass mobilizer and can really excite the neutrals.
“The problem with Wike, however, is the endless list of utterances that are capable of offending people from across the country. He seems unable to control his emotions and as such creates crisis in peace times.
He has had outbursts against his fellow governors, leaders in the south South, Atiku Abubakar, the North as a whole, Igbo people, Yoruba people etc .
“Okowa on the other hand seems to have a more laid-back approach. He appears gentle and soft-spoken although he has proved to have in his arsenal an element of surprise, especially after the surprise victory, he pulled out in the governorship primaries in Delta where he upset the odds and ensured his candidate emerged. Okowa enjoys the respect of his fellow governors and can give the presidency the much-needed calm and influence.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The downside for Okowa is that he has just had a major fallout with James Ibori the godfather of Delta politics and this may appear yet another smack in his face. Ibori himself is an Atiku loyalist.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom is another possibility. Udom has a history of transforming from being a banker to political gladiator. Also, his success with Ibom Air has won a lot of admiration for the state government. Like Okowa, he is also gentle and very calm and as a person who is from the private sector, he can bring some solid knowledge as VP and Chairman of the economic Council,” it said of the three leading candidates for the VP slot.
The group also opined that the last VP from the South-South was former president Goodluck Jonathan who hailed from Bayelsa, a state carved out from Rivers.
“The other two governors: Okowa (Old Bendel State which comprises Edo and Delta) and Udom (Cross River and Akwa Ibom) come from areas who also believe that this slot should be left for either of them to also have an opportunity to produce the VP,” it said.
The group also counselled Atiku to consider a candidate who is trustworthy, honest, decent, and dependable to drive the vision of rescuing the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The ultimate decision lies with the presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. His task is not an easy one. He will have to sift through the SWOT analysis of all available candidates and much more data and arrive at a decision that will please most stakeholders.
“What is crucial is that he must pick not just a candidate that can join him to win the election but the candidate that will be a good partner in progress. Trustworthy, honest, decent and dependable," the group said.
The group further advised the former Vice President to pick a running mate that would put his personal ambition and desires aside and focus on his vision, progress, and development of Nigeria.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Yusuf brings joy to retirees by approving ₦5bn payment of pension, gratuity
Daniel Ojukwu: Sowore, Adeyanju lead protest at police HQ over unlawful detention of journalist
Gov Namadi builds embankments to ensure better flood control in the State
Prodigal satellite found 25 years after going missing in space
₦2.7bn fraud: Court grants Sirika, daughter, 2 others ₦100m bail each
Nigeria Air: Sirika, daughter, appear in court over alleged ₦2.7bn fraud
Catholic Bishop wants youth to make church activities go viral on social media
Court gives fresh order in purported move to unseat Damagun as PDP acting chair
MoD hands 20 APCs to Nigerian Armed Forces' to confront security challenges
Pulse Sports
DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions
Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen
Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa
Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France
ADVERTISEMENT
![Speaker of the House and the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. [NAN]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Speaker of the House and the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. [NAN]")