Running Mate: Atiku Ignored Party’s Decision To Pick Wike Instead Of Okowa – Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, says the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, ignored the recommendation of the party’s committee to choose Rivers state governor, Nyesome Wike as his running mate instead of Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

Ortom made the comment while speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday.

He said he was part of a 17-member committee set up by Atiku to recommend a running mate for him and the committee presented Wike to be his running mate.

He said, “I was among the 17-member committee set up by Atiku and 14 of us in the committee said the person should be Wike.

“Unfortunately, Atiku picked Okowa, that is his wisdom. You cannot ignore the decision of a committee you set up yourself and expect people to be happy.

“For now, I have gone into hibernation, he added.

When asked if he would support Atiku’s candidacy, the Benue governor said, “I am in hibernation. I Am praying. When I finish the prayers and whatever God directs me, I will do.”

He also chided Atiku for not doing enough to placate Wike after he was dropped as running mate.

“Wike is a pillar in the party. Currently, Nobody in the party has contributed more for the party to move forward than Wike.

“If Atiku was not going to honour the decision of the committee, he should have called Wike earlier and informed him. He didn’t do that. You can’t do things anyhow and expect us to be happy.”