The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the criticisms trailing his selection of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, saying efforts are on to resolve the differences with those not impressed by his choice.
This followed the latest outburst of Governor Sam Ortom of Benue State who asserted that the former vice president has disrespected Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State by side-stepping on the slot despite being the first runners-up in the primary that produced Atiku as the PDP flag bearer.
Speaking in a live interview with Arise Television, on Wednesday, the Benue Governor who chaired the committee set up by Atiku to help him arrive at a suitable running mate, revealed that rather than go to Wike in person, Atiku and the party leadership were trying to talk to him over the phone.
He recalled that 14 out of the 17 members of the committee had recommended Wike for the position of vice-presidential candidate but the recommendation was jettisoned by Atiku in favour of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
Ortom said despite the humiliation of the Rivers governor, they had done nothing to appease him to get him to support the PDP.
He also recalled how Wike had sustained the main opposition party when other prominent members deserted it after it lost power in 2015.
Credit: Tribune