In an effort to meet up with the June 17th deadline for submission of party’s flagbearer and running mate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the formation of another committee to screen Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa and others as possible vice president nominees.
An earlier screening committee set up to pick one out of the many people considered for the post yesterday picked Governor Nyesom Wike as it’s preferred choice after a vote of 16-3.
Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar emerged the party’s 2023 presidential candidate in a keenly contested National Convention last month.
Consequently, the PDP as contained in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Wednesday, constituted the Vice Presidential Candidate Screening/Verification Committee (VPSC).
According to the statement, “pursuant to Part VI, Paragraph 14 of the Electoral Guidelines of our great Party, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the nomination of the following Party members to serve on the Vice Presidential Candidate Screening Committee for the screening/verifying of the nominated Vice Presidential Candidate of our Party for the 2023 general elections”.
PDP appointed High Chief Tom Ikimi as Chairman and made Dr. Akilu Indabawa the Secretary.
Other members of the PDP VPSC include: former governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris I. Wada (rtd), former minister of aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, Rt. Hon. Binta Bello, Chief Mrs. Alh. Mutiat Adedoja, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Prof. Aisha Madawaki, Mrs. Ayotunde George-Ologun, Chief Mrs. Chidiebelu Mofus and Fidelis Tapgun. Mr. Sunday Omobo is the Administrative Secretary.
“The screening exercise will hold at the National Working Committee (NWC) Hall, PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10am,” the party stated.
The PDP has limited the running mate battle to the South with Rivers state governor,Nyesom Wike and his Delta state counterpart leading the pack as favourite.