BREAKING: WTO retains Okonjo-Iweala, evicts three candidates

The World Trade Organization members have evicted three candidates from the race to be the next director-general of the body.

The WTO members however retains Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to Bloomberg on Friday.

Okonjo-Iweala is a former finance minister in Nigeria and former managing director of the World Bank.

The Geneva-based WTO said Mexico’s Jesus Seade, Egypt’s Hamid Mamdouh and Moldova’s Tudor Ulianovschi didn’t secure enough support in a first of three rounds of voting.

“Their expertise and high professional and personal qualities are highly valued and respected by all members,” WTO General Council Chairman, David Walker, said in a statement on Friday.

The second phase of consultations would begin on September 24 and run until October 6 after which the WTO would announce two final candidates.

The goal was to name a new leader by November 7.

Apart from the home support Nigeria’s nominee is enjoying, she also has the support of many other countries and international organisations including the African Development Bank. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has also declared his support for Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination.