The Forum of the Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appreciated the Presidential candidate of the Party, Atiku Abubakar for fulfilling his promise to pick one of them as his running mate.
Atiku, on Thursday, unveiled the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate during a ceremony at the Wadata House, PDP Headquarters, Abuja. He picked Okowa over two equally qualified Governors shortlisted for him to pick from – Governors Nyesom Wike and Udom Emmanuel of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
Okowa’s choice was greeted by wild jubilation and fireworks at the Government House, Asaba.
In a congratulatory statement to Okowa signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, himself a former aspirant to the Presidential seat who, at the last minute, stepped down for Atiku, the Forum said: “The PDP-GF notes in particular that the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, promised to select a serving PDP Governor as his running mate, ostensibly not just because of the contributions of the Governors to the effective running of the Party and its stability, but because of their experience and executive capacity. He kept his word.”
In his own congratulatory message, former National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus, praised both Atiku and Okowa for what he described as the “maturity they brought into the race.”
The PDP Governors Forum’s statement reads:
“The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) hereby congratulates the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on his emergence as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 General elections.
“The PDP-GF notes in particular that the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, promised to select a serving PDP Governor as his running mate, ostensibly not just because of the contributions of the Governors to the effective running of the Party and its stability, but because of their experience and executive capacity. He kept his word.
“Governor Okowa has distinguished himself as Governor of Delta State. He also has cognate legislative experience as a former Senator. He has what it takes to be an effective Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The great task of recovering, rescuing and rebuilding Nigeria begins with the Atiku / Okowa ticket. The APC has completely messed up Nigeria. It has failed in all aspects of governance; insecurity, bad economy, dysfunctional education, health and social services are the hallmarks of the APC administration.
“With the Atiku/Okowa ticket help is on the way. We shall overcome.”
And according to Secondus, with the choice of Okowa, the PDP is ready to take back Aso Rock.
The statement signed on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media, Ike Abonyi, reads:
“The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP Prince Uche Secondus has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Governor of Delta State for emerging the Presidential and Vice Presidential flag bearer of the party for 2023 general election.
“Prince Secondus in a statement from his media office commended the duo for the maturity they brought into the contest which must have been responsible for their eventual victory.
“The former National Chairman described Alhaji Abubakar as a square peg in a square hole whose pedigree in the nation’s political space remains outstanding and speaks for itself.
“Prince Secondus said that Atiku’s choice of Governor Okowa as his running mate says it all his knack for picking good head to be around him for the gargantuan task ahead.
“The former National Chairman said that with the picking of a running mate, the candidacy is complete and PDP is now set for the inevitable journey back to Aso Rock come 2023.”
Recall that Secondus was removed from office, a couple of months to the end of his tenure in a coup instigated, and led by Wike. Ironically, it was Wike who, also, installed Secondus in office. He accused him later of incompetence and lack of capacity. Secondus alleged that Wike wanted to run his office for him.
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