Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has named Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
He announced it on his social media accounts on Thursday.
“I am thrilled to introduce Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa as my Vice Presidential candidate,” Abubakar wrote.
“I am looking forward to traveling with you across our beautiful country, interacting with all Nigerians, and working together to achieve a shared future of peace, unity, and prosperity for everyone.” We Can Do It Together. #OneNigeria
According to the PUNCH, Okowa is the favorite to be Atiku’s running partner.
Apart from Okowa, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel are said to be on the shortlist.
Abubakar was announced as the PDP presidential contender for the 2023 election on Saturday, May 28.
Abubakar received 371 votes, defeating Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, who received 237 votes, to become the party’s candidate.
Abubakar was born on November 25, 1946, in Jada, Adamawa, and campaigned for Governor of the state three times, winning in 1990, 1997, and 1998. In 1999, he became former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s running mate, a position he held until 2003.
Abubakar campaigned for president numerous times, notably in 2014 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but was defeated in the primaries by current President Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2019, he ran for President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but was defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).