July 05, (THEWILL) – The Plateau for Atiku Movement, an association of elders, leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Plateau state, has commended Alhaji Abubakar Atiku for his choice of Ifeanyi Okowa, as presidential running mate.
The group said Atiku’s choice of running mate has demonstrated the capacity, leadership and readiness of the PDP presidential candidate for the general elections and governance at a time when his competitors in other parties show hesitation, confusion and lack of readiness.
In a statement issued through its Protem Secretary, Professor Shedrach Best, the group said it is worthy of note that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has respect for the diversity and historical experiences of the nation.
According to the statement, “his choice of the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as running mate meets the specifications of the office, which the PDP flag bearer himself once occupied, bringing together attributes of a bridge builder, humility, simplicity, appeal, experience and service at a time Nigeria requires healing.
“We, therefore, stand with this respectable decision. We wish to affirm that it remains the prerogative of the candidate to select who he thinks he can work with best, albeit in consultation with other leaders and stakeholders of the Party, and amidst many qualified persons”, the statement noted.
It also stressed that this Movement has been concerned about the rising voices of opposition in the Party, either against the person of the running mate or the process leading to his selection, noting that “this public criticism coming from a section of leaders, some of them too senior to be ignored, is worrisome. We take note that some have been associated with a complexity of issues in the Party, including the zoning of the Presidency, which has come and gone.”
According to the group, “as democrats, we invite all leaders and stakeholders to rise above this seeming draw back to the progress that the PDP is making towards clinching the Presidential seat of the nation.”
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