Sources: Atiku picks Peter Obi as running mate

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, has been picked as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insiders have told TheCable.

The deal to have the two-term governor of Anambra on a joint ticket with Abubakar for 2019 was reportedly sealed at a meeting in Abuja on Friday afternoon.

Gbenga Daniel, director-general of Abubakar’s campaign, who attended the meeting was also considered a running mate but the odds favoured Obi.

A source in the camp of the former governor also confirmed the development to TheCable.

“It is true that Obi has been picked. The party will make the announcement soon. We don’t want to be too fast,” he said.

“Pictures of the meeting in Abuja are already in circulation.”

Although a former Nigerian leader suggested picking the running mate from the south-west because of the voting population, Atiku ended up considering five candidates.

They are Obi; Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently deputy senate president; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance who is an Igbo from the south-south; Mustafa Chike-Obi, former MD of AMCON; and Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation.

“Atiku said he would want a VP who would focus on the job rather than playing politics,” an insider told TheCable.

Ekweremadu was highly favoured initially because of his broad-based experience as a former council chairman, former secretary to the government of Enugu state, and two-term deputy senate president.