By 
Abiodun OBA
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has been confirmed Atiku Abubakar Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku made the announcement on Thursday via his social media handles.
He posted, “I am delighted to announce Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa as my Vice Presidential candidate.
“I look forward to travelling our great country together, engaging with all Nigerians and building a shared future of peace, unity, and prosperity for all. As One We Can Get It Done. #OneNigeria.”
Earlier, Okowa was welcomed to the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday with congratulatory remarks.
Okowa was at the PDP Headquarters to attend the party’s Vice Presidential screening.
Some party members, who welcomed Okowa into the building, were heard saying ‘congratulations’.
Recall that Okowa is the favourite to emerge as Atiku’s running mate.
Apart from Okowa, others reportedly shortlisted are Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike and the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
Abubakar on Saturday, May 28, emerged as the PDP candidate for 2023 presidential election.
Abubakar scored 371 votes to emerge as the party’s candidate defeating his close contender, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, who polled 237 votes.
Born on November 25, 1946, in Jada, Adamawa, Abubakar ran for Governor of the state three times in 1990, 1997 and 1998, when he was elected before becoming the running mate to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, which he remained the vice president till 2003.
Abubakar contested for the office of the president several times, including 2014 when he ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost in the primaries to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also ran as the PDP presidential candidate in 2019 but lost to President Buhari of APC.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Screening Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, said it found Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State fully qualified to be the running mate to the party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Ikimi made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja after Okowa’s presentation by the party.
He said, “Okowa has served in many capacities in the public service of Delta State as well as local government council of that state.
“He also served as an honourable commissioner at one time in that state and infact, he served as the senator representing one of the senatorial districts of the state.
“The business of this committee was to ensure that he has the right qualifications because we are not interested in going to court after the election as people will be challenging those who are qualified or those not qualified.
“The committee found out that he is fully qualified. He is healthy, cool headed and willing to embrace all others who got tested over this position with him so that we have peace and stability in the party,” Ikimi said.
Members of the committee as constituted by the party included Akilu Indabawa, who served as Secretary, and Mr Sunday Omobo as Administrative Secretary.
Other members of the committee were Capt. Idris Wada, Chief Osita Chidoka, Binta Bello, Chief Mutiat Adedoja, Austin Opara, Prof. Aisha Madawaki, Mrs Ayotunde George-Ologun, Chief Chidiebelu Mofus and Fidelis Tapgun.
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