Atiku picks Okowa as running mate

Former Vice-President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku has chosen Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta as his running mate for the 2023 poll.

Atiku said this at an unveiling of his running mate at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, June 16.

He said that choosing his running mate was a difficult task as three eminently qualified persons were recommended, out of which Okowa was finally selected.

Also Read: Tinubu scores APC government high in national development

“It is a difficult decision that I was called upon to take. But, as someone hoping to lead a complex country such as ours, tough and difficult decisions would remain a part of my everyday life.

“Let me, therefore, start this momentous journey with a crucial decision about who, among the eminently qualified shortlist, would be my running mate.

“Accordingly, let me state that the person I have chosen as my running mate possesses all those identified qualities.

“He personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve.

“He is a serving state governor who has demonstrated, in his state and through his conduct, that governance is about service to the people,” he said.

Atiku added: “Please join me in welcoming to the ticket the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Gov. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.”

In his statement, Okowa says it is time for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) return to power at the centre, after being in the opposition for many years.

Okowa said this when he spoke with newsmen shortly after his official announcement as the party’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election in Abuja on Thursday.

“There is a huge challenge in our nation and PDP has said that it wanted to rescue this country and rebuild it.

“To be able to do that, you need a man who has the right experience, and obviously I have been picked today as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP to rescue Nigeria and rebuild it.

“I am truly very excited that I have been asked to join that ticket to be able to work with him as his vice-presidential candidate,” Okowa said.