Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed media rumors that he intends to appoint Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, as his running mate.
Several rumors surfaced over the weekend saying that Atiku met with members of the foreign community in Zurich, Switzerland, in preparation for the nomination of Okonjo-Iweala as his Vice President.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan are among those rumored to be considered for the vice-presidential seat.
Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, denied claims that the former vice president met with members of the foreign community in Switzerland to discuss Okonjo-Iweala in an interview with The Punch.
Atiku has increased his contacts with stakeholders and party officials, according to Ibe, in order to choose a candidate who will be acceptable to Nigerians and complement him.
“There is nothing like that; he has increased his consultations in order to find a candidate who will be acceptable and compliment him,” he explained.
