Okowa fires back at Tinubu after Atiku poses a significant threat to the APC.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s vice presidential candidate, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, says his party’s presidential ticket, led by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, poses a significant threat to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 election.

In response to a statement attributed to APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in which he reportedly said his (Tinubu’s) running mate was better than the man chosen by Atiku, Okowa told Tinubu that in the run-up to the 2023 election, he should focus on issues rather than individuals.

He noted that the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket had provided Christians with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vote for the PDP, a development he said would ensure that all Nigerians were represented at the federal level.

The vice presidential candidate stated in a statement issued by his media aide, Olisa Ifeajika, that Delta was home to all tribes because he believed in the oneness of the country and advocated for peaceful coexistence in all parts of the country.

According to him, Nigerians should choose who was the better vice presidential candidate of the major political parties and which party to vote for in 2023, rather than one individual attempting to influence by disparaging opponents.

Atiku chose Okowa as his running mate because of his rising political profile, contributions to national development, and exceptional performance as governor over the last seven years, according to Okowa.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said in an interview on Arise TV a few days ago that Sen. Bola Tinubu approached him in 2007 to be his running mate of the defunct ACN, but he (Atiku) declined the request because he was averse to Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he added.

“In response to Atiku’s remarks, Senator Tinubu attacked me, claiming that his own running mate, Senator Okowa, was better than Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s choice of Senator Okowa.”

“We know Senator Bola Tinubu as a good politician and former governor of Lagos State.” However, we anticipate that he is aware that there are other politicians who are towering, good, patriotic, and have attempted to be statesmen.

“By the grace of God, Delta Gôvernor and PDP Vice-Presidential Candidate, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, is also in this category.” If Tinubu believes he is good, he should not assume that other good or even better people will not exist in the political arena where he thrives.

“It was his decision to select his own running mate based on whatever criteria he deemed appropriate. No doubt for the same reasons that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, chose Senator Ifeanyi Okowa over all other candidates screened.”

The statement reminded Tinubu that the National Health Act in place today was the result of Okowa’s efforts while in the Senate, and urged him to double-check in case he didn’t know or had forgotten.

He also stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Okowa chaired critical committees and sub-committees established by the APC-led Federal Government to assist in mitigating the scourge’s challenges.

“We would like Tinubu to face his opponent. He is running on a joint ticket with Atiku, whom he has chosen as his running mate. As a result, he must consider how to enter the contest while avoiding the slander campaign “The statement went on.

“He should be discussing issues that affect people’s general well-being, not individuals.”