FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has chosen former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as his running mate.
The development was confirmed by the former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniels, who is also the Director-General of Atiku’s presidential campaign, on Friday.
“Mr. Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics, as well as being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need at this point in time,” the statement read.
“This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity.”
Right from the day he won the keenly contested PDP presidential primary election, there have been suggestions for Atiku to chose his vice presidential candidate from the trio of Obi, former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and former Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina.
Obi’s name had trended on Twitter the whole of Friday, before the rumour of his being chosen as PDP’s vice presidential candidate was eventually confirmed.

Mathew Amadi, a PDP member who had worked as one of the party’s agents in the recently held governorship election in Osun State, tweeted, “Great choice. Peter Obi is a complete nwa afor [son of the soil],” Amadi .
https://twitter.com/AMADICHIMA/status/1050757044083585024
Another Twitter handle titled “PDPVanguard” also shared a similar tweet.
BREAKING | @atiku picks Peter Obi as running mate. More details to come. pic.twitter.com/0KrsS88IGo
— PDP Vanguard (@PDPVanguard) October 12, 2018
Below are other tweets suggesting Obi could be PDP’s vice presidential candidate.
I’ll come back and do this thread later – I’m too excited to do any calm analysis rn:
PETER OBI IS THE NEXT VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!!
To be elected on February 16th 2019 on the platform of the PDP.
And to serve alongside PRESIDENT ATIKU ABUBAKAR!!! https://t.co/s39sGntSjC
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) October 12, 2018
It would be very very nice for Osinbajo and Peter Obi to go head to head in a debate. Father Lord, it would be a cracker. Brain vs brain. Lord please let this happen.
Buhari and Atikulate must debate too 😞
— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) October 12, 2018
Thank you HE Atiku Abubakar for picking Peter Obi as your running mate.
Nobody can call Peter Obi corrupt; he will tell you you’re wasteful and you can’t respond.
Let’s win this once and for all.
Peter Obi has more integrity than everyone in this Admin. Verifiable integrity.— Somto Onuchukwu (@chosensomto) October 12, 2018
It’s official
Atiku Abubakar picks Peter Obi as running mate pic.twitter.com/zxjdDaldEA
— Omadi (@iamtenseven) October 12, 2018