2023 Presidency: Atiku Speaks On Picking Okonjo-Iweala As Running Mate

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has refuted claims in the media that he intends to choose Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, as his running mate.

It was reported over the weekend that Atiku had a meeting with members of the international community in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of a process of selecting Okonjo-Iweala as his Vice President candidate.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan are among those rumoured to be considered for the vice-presidential position.

Paul Ibe, a spokesman for Atiku, refuted in a chat with The Punch that the former vice president had a meeting in Switzerland with members of the international community regarding Okonjo-Iweala.

According to Ibe, Atiku has increased his consultations with various stakeholders and party leaders in order to hunt for a candidate who will be acceptable to Nigerians and complement himself.

“There is nothing like that; he has stepped up his consultations to search for a candidate that will be acceptable and complement him,” Ibe said.