ADC: Okonjo-Iweala Not Willing To Become Atiku’s Running Mate — Sumner Sambo

The Director of Politics at Arise News, Sumner Sambo, has said that the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is not willing to leave her current position to become the running mate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sambo made the remark on Monday while speaking on The Morning Show, where he addressed growing political speculations surrounding possible alliances and ticket formations ahead of the next general election cycle in Nigeria.

According to him, although Okonjo-Iweala may be considered a strong political asset due to her global reputation and experience in economic management, she is not prepared to abandon her current role at the WTO.

He noted that she is currently serving a second term as Director-General of the organisation, with her tenure expected to run until 2029, making it unlikely for her to exit prematurely for a political contest in Nigeria.

“She’s not willing to actually leave a lucrative job as DG of the World Trade Organisation to actually consider that,” Sambo said during the programme.

He added that Okonjo-Iweala has already established a secure international career path and would be hesitant to return to Nigeria’s political environment, which he described as still facing legal and political uncertainties.

Sambo further argued that it would be unrealistic for her to leave a stable global appointment for a vice-presidential role in a political party that is still dealing with internal and external challenges.

He maintained that her current position provides both stability and influence on a global scale, making a political transition less attractive.

“She just resumed in September last year, and she has a tenure that will run for a second term till 2029,” he said.

“So what will she be doing as a vice presidential candidate of a party that’s still in court, facing challenges? She already has a secure term there, and she wouldn’t consider the offer.”

The comments add to ongoing political discussions and speculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, where various names continue to emerge as potential running mates and coalition partners.