A former presidential aide and investigative journalist, Jackson Ude, has revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had long considered Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his preferred running mate for the 2023 presidential election, irrespective of the PDP Committee’s recommendations.
In a detailed account, Ude recounted a 2022 meeting he had with Atiku in Dubai alongside activist Comrade Timi Frank, where the discussion centered on Atiku’s choice of a vice-presidential candidate.
According to Ude, Atiku was determined to avoid a repeat of 2019, when he selected former Anambra Governor Peter Obi without broad consultations, a decision that later strained his relationship with PDP governors. Instead, the former Vice President preferred the party to present potential candidates for him to make a final decision.
During their discussion, Ude suggested the then Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, citing his economic background as a strong asset for chairing the Economic Council. However, Atiku reportedly expressed concerns about Udom’s low political visibility in the North and had advised him to improve his presence in the region.
On the possibility of choosing Nyesom Wike, Atiku reportedly ruled him out due to his alleged addiction to alcohol, arguing that the Vice Presidency requires someone with a stable mind. More significantly, Atiku disclosed that U.S. officials had advised him against selecting Wike, claiming he was under watch by the CIA and other agencies for alleged oil bunkering.
While Atiku initially believed that Okowa was not interested in the position—given his previous role in advocating for zoning the presidency to the South—Ude said he encouraged the former VP to persistently court Okowa for the role. He emphasized Okowa’s grassroots political experience, his regional appeal as an Igbo man from the Niger Delta, and his lack of political controversy as key reasons why he would be a strategic choice.
“Atiku nodded in satisfaction while I was still speaking,” Ude recalled, noting that Okowa ultimately emerged as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate.
Ude also mentioned the then Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as a possible option, but Atiku admitted he knew little about him.
