Even with the victory at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) advisory council panel for the running mate to its candidate Atiku Abubakar, presidential contender and Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike faces more hurdles .
In the mock election conducted by the PDP advisory council headed by Deputy National Chairman(North) Ambassador Umar Shehu Damagun, Wike was said to have come top ahead of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state .
But Some leaders of the party are said to be uncomfortable with the choice of Wike on account of his less than honourable conduct and are prepared to pull the rug off his feet.
The opponents to Wike as running mate to Atiku have uploaded a video of his media interviews now trending in which Wike swore never to take vice presidential slot.
The anti Wike group are of the view that he should not be given the position having vowed not to accept the offer in the instance.
To compound the matter for Wike
, the Iyorchia Ayu led party set up another committee to screen the potential vice presidential candidate forthwith .The new committee is headed former foreign affairs minister, Chief Tom Ikimi while former Kogi governor Captain Idris Wada and former Aviation minister Ostia Chidoka are members.
Others are :Binta Bello, Mutiat Adedoja, Austin Opara, Aisha Madawaki, George Ologun, Chidiebelu Mofus, Fidelis Tapgun and Akilu Indabawa who will serve as secretary.
A statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the National Working Committee (NWC) set up the committee pursuant to part V1, paragraph 14 of the Electoral Guidelines of the Party. He said the party is still consulting and yet to take a position .
Ikimi committee will meet on Thursday for the state exercise.
Meanwhile, political pundits from the South East geopolitical zone are also demanding that running mate to Atiku be given to them in the spirit of equity, fairness and balance. Former Enugu state Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim are being mentioned for the running mate
.
Besides, the battle for the slot by the contenders for the position from the south south ; Wike , Okowa and Udom , gives credence to demand that the slot of the Vice President goes to the South East Zone .
“ Giving the position to South East will usher in peace and harmony in the PDP going into the 2023 elections instead of the south south that is already a battle field among the aspirants”, our source stated.
