ATIKU PICKS OKOWA AS RUNNING MATE

Afolabi Oyekunle.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, today picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

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Ifeanyi Okowa

He said part of the criteria he considered was Okowa’s rich experience and political trajectory which positioned him well to become president after him.

Atiku stated this in his remarks at the unveiling of Okowa as his running mate at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Abuja.

Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.

“In arriving at the decision, I held wide consultations with various stakeholders in our party including our Governors, National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and other leaders to seek their input and their wisdom.
“In these consultations, I made clear that my running mate would have the potential to succeed me at a moment’s notice, that is, a President-in-waiting,” Atiku said.

He added,

“In other words, the person must have the qualities to be President. The person must have an appreciation of the deep rot which our country has been put into by the rudderless APC government; understands the great suffering that most of our people are going through and the urgency of relieving them of that suffering; understand the critical importance of economic growth and development to provide our young people with jobs, hope, and a pathway to wealth.
“The person must appreciate the critical importance of education in the development of modern societies so we can prepare our young people to be able to compete in the increasingly competitive and globalized world.
“My running mate must understand that without security, development will be very difficult because local and foreign investors who have been scared away already, would not return to invest in our economy. Thus, my running mate will be a person who will stand by me as I confront the frightening level of insecurity in our land.”

The former Vice President said it was a difficult decision for him to arrive at the choice of Okowa as all those shortlisted for the role “are all dedicated party-men suitable for this task”.

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