The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, has revealed the reasons why the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, picked the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, over his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, as running mate.
Ayu offered the explanation on Tuesday during the Northern Christian Youth Assembly Summit in Abuja.
He said Abubakar picked Okowa above Wike because of humility and better performance in government.
He said: “We looked around and we thought we have to give not just a vice president that will assist him (Atiku), but we did our homework to select a man who is highly educated, very humble, and who has done very well as a governor in his home state.
“Okowa is the most qualified running mate.
“It is on his own personal merit that he was selected by the party as the vice presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar.
“I think Nigeria will be very lucky to have two such people who are committed to development, who are detribalised, who believe in uniting this country.
Addressing the issue, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jibrin tendered his resignation letter, paving way for a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, (from South-East) to become the new BoT Chairman.
In view of that the National Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, last week passed a vote of confidence in the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Reacting to the above, Wike opined: “I was listening and watching, they said there is one man they call Secondus. They said he was dancing, celebrating that NEC gave their person vote of confidence. He forgets history.
“Ask him the same NEC through Aliyu Babangida moved a motion of vote of confidence supported by the same person, Ndudi Elumelu. They gave you (Secondus) a vote of confidence, what happened? You left office.
“We don’t fight and go back. If you like you can have as many 20 votes of confidence, it’s not my business. My business is to make sure the right thing is done, and the right thing must be done. Whether today or tomorrow.
“I’m not going to play party with the interest of my people. Rivers State is paramount to me first before any other person or group. So, the eyes can see what we have done. Up till today, we have never abandoned governance.
“So many people are already rounding up, taking the last they have but yet, we are still committed in commissioning, and flagging off projects. Because of the love we have for our people, we will continue to serve you till May 29, when by the grace of God, Siminialaye Fubara will be inaugurated next governor of Rivers.”
