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Nigerians React As PDP Committee Picks Wike As Atiku’s Running
Nigerians have reacted to the PDP Committee’s choice of Wike as Atiku’s running.
Newsone had reported earlier that a committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has recommended Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State as the first option for Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.
This online news platform understands that the PDP committee said Governor Wike as Atiku’s running mate for the 2023 election, will do better for the ticket than his main challengers, according to two sources quoted by Peoples Gazette, who are familiar with the decision.
According to the report, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta was recommended as the second-best politician to pair with Abubakar; while Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom was placed third.
Aminu Tambuwal, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, endorsed the decision to prioritise Wike on the list of key vice-presidential options for Abubakar, our sources said. Governors, board of trustee members, and the national working committee officials made contributions to the list.
“They were recommended based on their individual strength,” a source said.
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The running mate option has been a close contest between governors Wike and Okowa, who was initially seen as a shoo-in for Abubakar until recently when Wike began showing keen interest.
Newsone gathered that Atiku has reportedly promised Okowa the ticket since last year, and when Wike sought the presidential ticket against him, the choice was deemed easy. But the rivalry became apparent last week when Okowa issued a statement saying only God could stop him from emerging as Atiku’s running mate.
It was not immediately clear whether or not the committee’s decision would prevail. Mr Abubakar has yet to disclose his final decision, and a spokesman did not immediately return a request seeking comments.
The report has it that there are other panels and think tanks making recommendations to Abubakar on his running mate choice, Peoples Gazette understands. The development came more than two weeks after Atiku was confirmed as the presidential candidate of the main opposition body, clearing the path for a showdown with Bola Tinubu, presidential flagbearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Reacting to the news of the possible emergence of Governor Wike as Atiku’s running mate for the 2023 election, Nigerians took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to air their opinions on the political topic.
Nigerians captured some of the reactions below…
Wike is too stubborn to be Vice President that one no go obey oga😂
— MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) June 14, 2022
So we will be seeing Wike and his band during campaign. At least campaign will be fun 😃
— Mo-Mo💙 (@Morris_Monye) June 14, 2022
Atiku and Wike joint ticket has put an abrupt end to whatever relevance APC has left as a Party.
— Premier (@SodiqTade) June 14, 2022
Atiku/Wike??? Please let it happen.
Remind the SE what he did in the build up to the primaries. Thankfully, this is no longer about delegates that they can bribe to sell votes.
— Cross˚ (@Elkrosmediahub) June 14, 2022
Atiku and Wike.
What a combination this would be. pic.twitter.com/Kgcq9vcrbQ
— What A Rush! (@iamMightyGeorge) June 14, 2022
This Wike news brings forth much excitement for many. We’re coming and coming to win.
— Ambassador 🇳🇬 (@sir_balemoh) June 14, 2022
Gov Wike has been in PDP since 1998 without a singular day defection to any political party.
Wike for the VP ⛱
“Giving the power” pic.twitter.com/HlYuDPtGm3
— Aliyu (@AliyuKwarbai) June 14, 2022
Wike deserves it 100% for that Presidential run. He almost won it. I wanted Okowa because he’s more “refined” but our people have said we are going for war and there’s no better soldier than Wike
— Ayobami Top Dollar. (@dondekojo) June 14, 2022
Wike as Vice President to Atiku? Wike no dey hear word ooo. Imagine Atiku telling Wike he needs to travel to the UK on official assignment and Wike responds
“Aboy Disembark from that careless capping, who you wan leave this ship for? Aboy die it!”
— Chlorpheniramine #EndSARS 🇳🇬 (@VictorIsrael_) June 14, 2022
for not zoning its ticket there.
Everything is in play for PDP in the south south with Wike’s as the VP candidate.
It is not hosanna yet for PDP.
How APC manages its internal dynamics has portents for the PDP. If it picks a Muslim candidate from the north, it’ll be hard— Dr Great Oracle (@AbdulMahmud01) June 14, 2022
Wike is like Nigeria’s Trump: Ready to hurl uncomfortable truth bombs at everyone, unruly, popular with the grassroots & interested in being a theatrical emperor – with questionable financial ethics. Ethics are extinct in Nigerian politics anyway. This is not an endorsement.
— Asiya R., Queen of A&Z (@AsiyaRodrigo) June 14, 2022
Barring last-minute changes, emperor Wike will be the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP.
Atiku – Wike.
Looks formidable on paper, but Peter Obi will beat anyone against the odds.
— Everest (@novieverest) June 14, 2022
One thing about Wike is that he is very committed to any project he is on. With him on Atiku’s ticket then Tinubu and the Shettima guy should focus on self-development and learn a business outside politics. It is almost pointless campaigning against a winning team.
— Premier (@SodiqTade) June 14, 2022
.@atiku won’t pick @GovWike as his running mate.
Someone who has his experience and 6th attempt at being elected as President of Nigeria can’t be that politically naive.
Wike is only loyal to Wike. Atiku won’t last a term in office if elected with Wike as Vice President.
— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí 🇳🇬 (@ogundamisi) June 14, 2022