When on 15 June, 2022 a committee set up by the PDP recommended Wike as Atiku’s running mate, many supporters of the Rivers State governor had already begun congratulating him. In fact, Wike was trending at number one on Twitter. All that remained was an official announcement by Atiku which many saw as a mere formality.
However, many in the party were shocked when Atiku announced Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate. Sources close to Atiku stated that the former VP decided to choose Okowa because of his cool temperament and because Wike had been rejected by some influential northern politicians who saw him as a loose cannon and too radical.
While many have congratulated Okowa for emerging as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP, Wike and other influential governors in his clique have failed to do so.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, who is very close to
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