Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, had intensified lobby of the Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders as part of moves to clinch the party’s vice presidential post in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
It was gathered that the duo had reached out to their fellow governors as part of efforts to clinch the post.
A close source to Wike told The PUNCH that the governor was in Abuja lobbying to be named Atiku’s running mate.
According to the source,”The governor is not in town as we speak. It is not out of place if he is pushing to become the running mate of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“But it will be unfair if he (Wike) is not picked as Atiku’s running mate going by his contributions to the party, both in terms of finance and other levels of support.
“Don’t forget that he came second in the PDP presidential primary in Abuja, so that tells you his pedigree,” he stated.
Kelvin Ebiri, the Special Assistant on Media to Wike kept mum over the choice of running mate for Atiku.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, confirmed that the governor was one the people being tipped as Atiku’s running mate.
Ifeajika said Okowa was eminently qualified for the post.
According to him,”Yes, they (governors) met yesterday and today, Thursday, in Abuja. Of course, it is no longer news that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is among the people being tipped as the running mate.
“Okowa is one those being considered. He is not only eminently qualified but acceptable by all. If there is an election, all governors, even those in the APC, will attest that Okowa is the best man for the position. He has worked hard for it.”
