Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State and presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Abuja, Monday, September 24, successfully went through screening exercise by the party’s screening committee for presidential aspirants,  headed by the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Architect Namadi Sambo.

Tambuwal also on Monday announced the appointment of Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, mni, the  Spokesperson and Head of Media and Strategic Communications for his 2019 presidential campaign

In the Letter of Appointment  dated Friday, September, 21st, 2018, and signed by Governor Tambuwal, Ikechukwu was charged with overseeing all media content and output related to the Tambuwal Presidential Project, as well as being the official media face and voice for the governor’s presidential project.

The philosopher and public communications expert with rich and very wide experience in youth mentoring, political campaigns and media management, is to oversee every aspect of the campaign that would impact on the profile, general perception and branding of Governor Tambuwal as a presidential candidate.

Dr. Ikechukwu,is an experienced public and security communications expert, leadership and governance consultant, public speaker, trainer and life coach. He has held senior positions in the public and private sectors at the highest levels, led foreign delegations on behalf of the Federal Government, held board positions and chaired government reform committees and other initiatives.

A certified professional mediator and conflict resolution practitioner, Dr. Ikechukwu   is a Senior Fellow of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy and a human capital development and Training  Partner of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre. He was, at various times, Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos, Chairman Editorial Board and Editorial Page Editor of The Comet Newspapers (now The Nation) Newspapers), Member, and later AG. Chairman Chairman Editorial Board and Editorial Page Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, member of Daily Trust Newspapers Editorial Board, Chief of Staff/Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Special Assistant to the Presidential Adviser on Legal and Constitutional Matters, Special Adviser to the Presidential Communications Unit in the Presidency, Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Special Assistant to the Minister of Transport and Head of Communications, Federal Ministry of Education.

The renowned strategist and public affairs analyst, who was once the DG of the Internarional Institute for Leadership and Governance and until now also a member of Thisday Newspapers Editorial Board, comes highly recommended by professional colleagues and peers. He is a Member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and is expected to add value to the campaign organization and public image of the presidential aspirant.

Dr. Ikechukwu, is a mentor, author of six books, many academic papers in learned journals and over six thousand published newspaper and magazine articles on politics, national and international affairs, leadership and public policy.

He was Executive Vice Chairman of the FCT Karate Association and is currently the Regional Patron (North Central) of the Nigeria Karate Association (NKA). He is a practicing exponent of the martial arts and holds a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate.