Atiku should choose his running mate — Bode George

As the debate on which of the three geo-political zones in the South should produce the running mate of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, there are indications that the South-West is also making case for the position over what sources called “political balancing.”

The debate revolved around the thinking that since President Muhammadu Buhari was not likely to change Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as running mate, the PDP would gain more mileage in the South-West if it chose Atiku’s running mate from the zone.

Commenting on the issue, former PDP Deputy Chairman, Chief Bode George, said the decision would rest squarely with Atiku himself, saying he needed to take a lot of factors into consideration.

According to him, the South West had many capable hands to take up the vicepresidential position.

He also said it would be wise to sway South West voters if Atiku decided to choose his running mate in the region to balance the equation since Buhari’s running mate is from the southwest.

“But I really pray for him to make the right choice. He is able and capable and I believe he can take the right decision on the choice of running mate,” he said.

Also speaking, Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, said “He (Atiku) has to look at a lot of factors in deciding where his running mate would come from.

“It is not such an easy thing; but for us, we believe if you are the President of Nigeria, you must have a way of balancing federal character so that we can have an inclusive government.

“Our strongest issue in the South West is autonomy/restructuring which he has committed to. So the question of position, we will allow the political parties to sort out that. For us he has made a clear commitment to restructure Nigeria and he should not depart from it.”