Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Candidate Screening Committee, has said it found Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State fully qualified to be the running mate to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The Committee Chairman who said this while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja maintained that the job of the committee was to screen the nominees for running mate in order to avoid court issues later.
According to him, “Okowa has served in many capacities in the public service of Delta State as well as local government council of that state.
“He also served as an honourable commissioner at one time in that state and in fact, he served as the senator representing one of the senatorial districts of the state.
“The business of this committee was to ensure that he has the right qualifications because we are not interested in going to court after the election as people will be challenging those who are qualified or those not qualified.
“The committee found out that he is fully qualified. He is healthy, cool headed and willing to embrace all others who got tested over this position with him so that we have peace and stability in the party,” Ikimi said.
Meanwhile, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has hailed Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, for choosing Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
In a statement by his media aide, Ike Abonyi, Secondus noted that Atiku’s choice of VP shows his knack for excellence and preparation for victory come 2023.
In his words, “Alhaji Abubakar is a square peg in a square hole whose pedigree in the nation’s political space remains outstanding and speaks for itself.
“Atiku’’s choice of Okowa as his running mate shows his knack for picking a good head to be around him for the gargantuan task ahead.
“With the picking of a running mate, the candidacy is complete and PDP is now set for the inevitable journey back to Aso Rock in 2023,” the statement read.
Recall that though Nyesom Wike and Emmanuel Udom were also listed as likely choices prior to the announcement, Atiku however picked Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
The PDP presidential candidate stated that he chose Okowa because the governor meets “all or most of the qualities” he desires.