Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is to meet with the committee set up by the party to pick an acceptable running mate ahead of the 2023 election, on Tuesday.
The committee, which comprised governors, National Working Committee (NWC) members, former governors and Board of Trustees (BoT) members, had adjourned after its meeting on June 7 to give room for more consultations.
According to The PUNCH, Atiku, who is a BoT member, would also be part of the Tuesday meeting.
The newspaper, quoting sources said the presidential candidate is said to be disposed to the choice of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
“The leadership of the party asked him to bring three names that he thinks he could work with and he did, which are the names people have been mentioning everywhere; Wike, Okowa and Udom Emmanuel. But I think he prefers Okowa. He (Okowa) is believed to have the support of the majority of the governors, including those from the South-East and South-South, where he hails from.
“The preference for him is also strategic. Following the need to carry along the South-East people, Okowa is Igbo from the Igbo part of Delta State. He is calm, a medical doctor and does not insult or fight people, including his colleagues. Even during campaigns, he’s not the type to speak ill of fellow aspirants or candidates.
“Therefore, it’s not likely that there will be any major opposition to his choice. Like I said, he is Igbo and he will create that needed balance between the South-South and the South-East. The Igbo will support him and people in the South-South will also support him,” a party source was quoted to have said.
