The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has denied media reports that he is planning to pick the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as his running mate.
Several reports emerged over the weekend claiming that Atiku met with some members of the international community in Zurich, Switzerland as part of moves to pick Okonjo-Iweala as his Vice President.
Apart from the former Minister of Finance, other names said to be considered for the vice-presidential slot are Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; a former Govermor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan.
In a chat with The Punch, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe refuted the reports that the former vice president met with some members of the international community in Switzerland regarding Okonjo-Iweala.
Ibe stated that Atiku has stepped up his consultations with stakeholders and party leaders to search for a candidate that will be acceptable to Nigerians and compliment him.
He said: “There is nothing like that; he has stepped up his consultations to search for a candidate that will be acceptable and complement him.”
