The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named an 11-member Vice Presidential Candidate Screening Committee, to screen Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, who was elected on Tuesday to be the running mate to the party’s flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.
Former Foreign Affairs minister, Tom Ikimi was appointed to head the committee that will screen Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday. Wike has not officially been announced as at the time of filing this report.
Wike was reported to have polled 13 of the 16 votes of the party’s consultative panel set up to recommend a running mate among Wike, Delta governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel. The party’s national Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu was reported to have abstained from voting.
The governor was also the first runners-up in the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag-bearer.
A statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Wednesday, said the National Working Committee (NWC) approved the 11-man committee pursuant to Part VI, Paragraph 14 of the Electoral Guidelines of the party.
According to the statement, the members will serve for “the screening/verifying of the nominated vice presidential candidate of our party for the 2023 general elections.”
Members include Idris Wada, Osita Chidoka, Binta Bello, Austin Opara, Professor Aisha Madawaki, Mrs. Ayotunde George-Ologun, Mrs. Chidiebelu Mofus and Fidelis Tapgun.
Dr. Akilu Indabawa was named as the Secretary while Mr. Sunday Omobo is the Administrative Secretary.
