PDP denies Atiku has picked Wike as his running mate saying consultation is still ongoing

NIGERIA'S main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied reports that it has selected Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as the running mate to its presidential candidate former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Earlier this month, Alhaji Abubakar win the PDP presidential primaries and since then, the search for a running mate has commenced. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission has given all the parties up  until June 18 to submit the names of their presidential candidates and running mates.

Yesterday, reports broke out that Governor Wike, who came second to Alhaji Abubakar in the primaries had been picked as a running mate. However, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP national publicity secretary, said this was just rumour as the party's national working committee is currently still consulting in order to pick the best vice presidential candidate.

Mr Ologunagba said: “We have a process as a party because we are organic and we follow through with the processes. We recognise the importance of participatory democracy, ensuring that every stakeholder and organ of the party is involved in our decision-making process.

“This is the beginning of the process, consideration and advisory body need to get to the level where, in consultation with the presidential candidate, they will deliberate on who is most suitable. That process is ongoing, so any report of a particular candidate at this point is probably premature.”

To assist the process, the PDP has established a panel chaired by its deputy national chairman, north, Ambassador Umar Damagum to pick its running mate. It had been reported that this panel picked Governor Wike after he attracted 16 votes out of 20 votes, beating the likes of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.