Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar raises his hands in victory after he won the presidential ticket of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on October 7, 2018. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP
The presidential candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic PArty Atiku Abubakar is set to announce his running mate for the 2019 general election, The Guardian has learnt.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of names of parties’ candidate expires on Monday, 15 October, a source in Abubakar campaign team told The Guardian that he was in a meeting with Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, who is one of the persons touted to be named as the running mate.
“We cannot confirm anything now. But Peter Obi is the most likely choice,” the source said.
The source also said Abubakar’s choice will be named later on Friday.
Another source said Abubakar’s choice is mostly limited to South-West and South-East, where he picked his running mate, Ben Obi, when he was the presidential candidate of now-defunct Action Congress.
Both zones are believed to have helped Atiku neutralise the Northern zone delegates’ votes that went to Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, during the presidential primary on Saturday.
It has been speculated that at least three technocrats and two politicians are being considered for the position.
Atiku to announce running mate today
