Amidst the congratulatory messages pouring in for Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, fresh details have emerged online on how the People’s Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar dumped Nyesom Wike at the last minute.
A reliable source in Abuja who spoke to Vanguard said Atiku’s decision to Pick Okowa was made easy because he was on the list of those short-listed.
Wike was said to have faced pressure from powerful interests who cited his stance on issues of taxation, especially with respect to the Rivers state court case against the Federal Government on the Value Added Tax.
The source added that a number of people felt it would be too risky to have someone with Wike’s temperament in charge of the economy as Vice President.
The source said: “The candidate has to prove very early enough that he is his own man. The decision for him to pick Okowa was made easy by the fact that he was on the list of those short-listed.
“There were also pressures from powerful interests who cited Wike’s hard stance on issues of taxation, especially with respect to the Rivers State court case against the Federal Government, on the Value Added Tax.
Considering the fact that the Vice President will be in charge of the economy, a number of people felt it would be too risky to have someone with Wike’s temperament in charge.
“There is also the issue of legislative liaison. The candidate (Atiku) explained and rightly too that Okowa, who was a Senator was better placed to build synergy between legislators and the executive.”
