By DADA AYOKHAI
The decision by the PDP presidential candidate , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to pick Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State as running mate has continued to elicit positive responses from diverse groups.
The latest group to join the league that have spoken out loudly in support of the nomination of Gov Okowa is the National Democratic Consciousness (NDC), a socio-political think tank, led by an Edo state PDP stalwart, Hon Henry Duke Tenebe (JP)
Rising from its maiden caucus meeting, held in Abuja, last weekend, the NDC, in a press release issued and signed by its chairman, Hon Tenebe, attested to the sterling qualities of Gov Okowa and also hailed the foresight of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in his choice of a running mate.
While reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the victory of the party in the 2023 presidential election, the group went on to describe the choice of Gov Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP as “poignant as well as a political masterstroke”, adding that it has all the trappings of paving way for the party’s landslide victory in the 2023 general election.
The group, in highlighting some of the sterling qualities of Gov Okowa, harped on his calmness, , his winning aura, his garnered administrative and political acumen, and, importantly, his charisma and humility, insisting that these are rare attributes that stood him out from the crowd.
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The NDC said it was not in any way surprised at the preference of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to pick Dr. Okowa as his running mate , stating further that it is obvious Alhaji Abubakar is already aware of the pedigree of Gov Okowa and so did not hesitate or wait to be prompted before making the right decision.
In particular, the group stated that Gov Okowa enjoys the confidence of his peers, noting that as a former chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, South South , he provided insightful and purposeful leadership.
The group admonished aggrieved PDP members across the country who have taken up arms over the choice of Gov Okowa to sheathe their sword and support his candidature.
It also urged the party stakeholders not to dissipate their energy on frivolities but rather to channel such energies on how to bring to a quick end the misrule, cluelessness, and ineptitude that has characterized the seven-odd years of APC government
