Walid Jibril: Atiku Didn’t Consult PDP BoT on Choice of Running Mate
UmahiinsistsAtikumustconsultS’Eastleaders Anenih,ChikwebackAtiku’sdecision
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday disclosed that former Vice President and the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar did not consult it before he reportedly nominated former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi as his running mate.
The South East Governor Forum protested the decision of the presidential candidate, revealing that the forum was never consulted the party leaders in the region before coming up with the choice and insisting that Atiku should parley with them over the choice of his deputy.
However, the Forum of PDP Women Leaders supported Atiku’s decision to nominate Obi as his running mate, describing it as a welcome development and citing diverse projects initiated and completed while serving as the governor of Anambra State.
Even though Atiku has not formally announced his running mate, there have been unconfirmed reports that the PDP presidential candidate had already decided to run with Obi, a two-term governor of Anambra State.
Responding to THISDAY inquiries yesterday, the Chairman of PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jibril acknowledged that the BoT was not consulted on the choice of running mate before the presidential candidate made his decision
He stated, “Even though the BoT was not contacted on the issue, I believe Atiku Abubakar must have taken the decision being the presidential candidate and who is the one to directly work with his running mate.
However, Jubril noted that BoT would intervene in this matter “to offer advice and ensure that there is no rift at all in order to give room for full satisfaction by all, especially the zone that the running mate is chosen from,
“The BoT will like to advise all members to remain calm and never cause any problem as a result of the selection of running mate,” the BoT chairman said.
Jibril assured that more appointment would be made after the party might have gained power in 2019 with reasonable considerations to hardworking members who had been with the party from the beginning.
After a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu yesterday, Chairman of the South East Governor Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi insisted that Atiku should consult with the leaders of the region before announcing his running mate.
Umahi explained that the meeting examined reports on the social media and online news media concerning Atiku’s resolve to nominate Obi as his running mate.
According to him, both PDP governors in the zone and indeed other stakeholders were shocked over the news of a vice presidential slot given to Ndigbo whereas no former notice to that effect was given.
Umahi revealed that Atiku sent in message during their meeting informing them that he was out of Nigeria on a short period and pleaded with them to remain calm that he will be coming down to the zone to dialogue with leaders.
He said, “We saw news flying up and down saying that our presidential candidate has picked a running mate from the zone. We were shocked because we were not consulted.