Obasanjo Suggested Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo, Peter Obi as My Running Mate in 2019 – Atiku

Former Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has revealed that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo recommended Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Charles Soludo, and Peter Obi as potential running mates for his 2019 presidential bid.

Atiku made this disclosure in an interview with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, published by *Daily Trust* on Wednesday. He explained that despite choosing Obi, he was criticized for allegedly not consulting widely enough before making his decision.

According to Atiku, after securing the PDP ticket in 2019, he visited Obasanjo in Abeokuta to discuss his choice of running mate.

“He asked me, ‘From where is your running mate going to come from?’ I said either the South-East or South-West. He advised me to pick from the South-East, as he had served eight years from the South-West,” Atiku recalled.

Obasanjo then suggested former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, but Atiku noted that she was not a PDP member and could face party rejection. The former president then proposed economist and current Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, but Atiku raised the same concern. Finally, Obasanjo mentioned Peter Obi, a PDP member, and Atiku agreed.

Atiku recounted presenting Obi’s nomination to party leaders, including then-PDP chairman Uche Secondus, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

“I told them about my meeting with Obasanjo and asked if they had any objections. They said no. So, I asked them to announce Obi as my running mate,” Atiku said.

However, he later faced criticism for allegedly failing to consult widely. To avoid a repeat in 2023, Atiku said he left the decision to the party, asking them to set up a committee to recommend three candidates.