WTO: Okonjo-Iweala Expresses Happiness, Exudes Hope |The Source

By Gideon Njoku

The preferred winner for the office of the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has expressed happiness for the success made so far in her quest to clinch the high profile job.

Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s candidate for the office, beat 13 others in a highly competitive Sreening and interview for the job.

She beat her closest rival, South Korea’s Minister for Trade and Investment by 104 to 60 votes,  thus securing the broadest acceptance among member nations.

As is the tradition in the WTO, she needs a consensus to win, something that has already been taken for granted. A formal announcement of her choice was being expected when the US Government threw a spanner in works.

The Donald Trump Government which never backed her from the onset refused  to endorse her clear victory, preferring the South Korean to her, even though the European Union, the African Union, China and more back her. This may force a vote on November 9. If it gets to that, it will be a first in the history of the WTO.

But in a tweet on Thursday, Okonjo-Iweala exuded happiness and an infectious confidence. She tweeted: “Happy for the continued success & progress of our @WTO DG bid. Very humbled to be declared the candidate with the largest, broadest support among members & most likely to attract consensus. We move on to the next step on Nov. 9, despite, hiccups. We’re keeping the positivity going!”

For the records, this is not the first time the Trump Government would oppose  Nigeria’s chances for an international job. The country also opposed the second term bid of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank, AfDB. Adesina got his re-election.