PDP Source Reveals Important Position Atiku Offered Wike Instead of Selecting Him as Running Mate
Shortly after becoming the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar formed a 17-member committee to recommend candidates for his running mate.
The former vice president was said to have made the decision to avoid being accused of unilaterally selecting Peter Obi as his running mate for the 2019 election.
Finally, the committee recommended three southern governors: Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom). Given Wike’s strong performance in the presidential primary, his supporters and many party leaders reportedly urged Atiku to select him as his running mate in order to unite the party ahead of the presidential election in 2023.
However, Atiku rejected Wike and chose Governor Okowa, whom he allegedly promised to consider for nomination as his running mate in order to secure the votes of Delta State delegates in the primary.
According to an anonymous source, Atiku offered Wike or his nominee the petroleum ministry portfolio if he won the election after the campaign for the Rivers state governor to be chosen as running mate grew in the party.
Governor Wike, on the other hand, is said to have turned down the offer.
