Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom has revealed the three names the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, committee on running mate presented to Presidential flag bearer Atiku Abubakar
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ortom said that the three individuals selected were Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta State) and Governor Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom State).
However, out of the three names, Ortom stated that Wike was described as eminently qualified, insisting that the PDP needed the Rivers governor to clinch the 2023 presidential seat.
He said: “Of course, three names were presented. In the order of preference, it was Wike, Okowa, and Governor Udom.
“Three of them were qualified but Governor Wike was eminently qualified.
“We said that for the PDP to win, we needed Governor Wike.
Yes, Wike may have his own weak points, but to some people, those were his strong points in this life.”
Ortom stated further that Atiku should not have sought for consultations if he was going to go against the panel recommendations and pick Okowa.
“If he decided just like he did in 2019 by choosing (Peter) Obi without consultation, and it was accepted, he could have done the same thing.
“But bringing all of us together, taking me from my state and taking several other governors from their states and bringing all of us to a committee — very responsible stakeholders, BOT, former governors’ forum and national working committee — and asking us to recommend, I think 14 out of 17 is enough to take a decision for anyone, whether you are a candidate or not,” Ortom added.
