After Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged the PDP Presidential flagbearer, many PDP stalwarts, Emeka Ihedioha , have been tipped to be his running mate.
NAIJA NEWS NG reports that the likes of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Udom Emmanuel have topped the list of who becomes his running mate.
A new strong entry into the hot list is former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha. The Former Deputy Speaker who has a lovely relationship with Atiku Abubakar and Governor Aminu Tambuwal who stepped down for Atiku has become a strong choice because of his geopolitical zone, South East.
After Atiku emerged the flag bearer, he started his consultations at the door of Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal. It was gathered that during their meeting, Tambuwal suggested that Atiku picks Emeka Ihedioha as his running mate. Atiku as we gathered at first rejected the idea.
READ l Emeka Ihedioha May Emerge As Atiku’s Running Mate
A source privy to the meeting said: “Tambuwal’s camp had put forward the name of Ihedioha, but Atiku was not favorably disposed to it at first, and Ihedioha himself rejected it.”
While there have been reports of Atiku narrowing his choice to either Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom or Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, the former vice president is keen on having bloc votes from the South East, especially as the region has always supported the PDP since 1999.
The source added: “The recent comments of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that they never threatened to work against Atiku in the 2023 polls is now making Atiku reconsider Ihedioha provided the former governor accepts the offer. “
He wants the South East votes badly because he knows they always tilt towards the PDP every election cycle.”
A source in Ihedioha’s camp also confirmed the authenticity of the rumours but stated that his principal still has his eyes on becoming the Imo state governor.
But sources have now tipped the former Imo state governor, Ihedioha to be selected.
When contacted, Media aide to the former Imo state governor, AIC Akwarandu told Vanguard that Ihedioha’s name is among other names being considered .
He said, “Ihedioha is not Vice President. Atiku is yet to choose. However, his name is among those being tipped for it which he has been indifferent about.”
But a source in the PDP revealed that Ihedioha has been favoured among others to be Atiku’s running mate.
He said, “Ihedioha has a very good relationship with Atiku and Tambuwal but he mobilized for Tambuwal during the primary and we all saw what happened when Atiku needed help, Tambuwal came to his rescue.
“As a party, we are looking at zoning the Vice Presidency slot to the southeast given the support of the region in time past to our party. And when I look at the track records of Ihedioha, he is the best fit for the role.”
Recall that Ihedioha, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former governor of Imo state, was removed from office by a Supreme Court judgement which favoured Hope Uzodimma of the All progressive congress, APC.
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