Samuel Ortom, The Governor of Benue State has stated that he is not opposing the position of the People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on the disputes that occurred at the PDP presidential primary and the selection of Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate, claiming that Atiku Abubakar is his presidential candidate.

News correspondents reports that Atiku Abubakar had after declaring Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate explained that he picked Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State because he ( Ifeanyi Okowa) had the potentials to be a Leader, adding that “Okowa is a President candidate-in-waiting.”

He said, “In arriving at the pronouncement, I held wide discussions with different investors in our party (PDP) involving our governors, all the national working committee, board members, and other prominent leaders to seek their advice and their wisdom.”

Also, discussing in an exclusive interview broadcasted on Arise TV, Atiku Abubakar stated that he selected who is capable more than the Governor of Rivers State, Gov. Nyesom Wike.

He also stated that he never rejected Nyesom Wike as his running mate, but what he did was only picked who could deliver on his agenda and out of the three running mate options presented to him by the committee chaired by the Governor of Benue himself, Samuel Ortom

Atiku Abubakar had stated, “I didn’t reject Nyesom Wike as my running mate, I selected who can actually deliver. Nyesom Wike is excellent and brilliant. Going by the books, I had selected an Igbo candidate as a running mate in the year 2007, in 2019. Also, i still picked an Igbo candidate as running mate for 2023 presidential election.
However, On the chance of settling issues with Nyesom Wike, Atiku Abubakar stated that the party (PDP) was speaking to Nyesom Wike.
“We (PDP) are currently reaching out to Nyesom Wike and we are discussing with him and I strongly believe that very soon we will find a settlement”.