Why did the people choose Athena and not any other god or goddess?

They probably chose her because Athena was a VERY powerful goddess, watching and punishing people with greed, vanity and jealousy. She was the goddess of wisdom, she knew right from wrong and her war techques were brilliant. Since she was Zeus's favorite daughter, no one but Zeus could stop her and he punishes her lightly. Because of this she is also to be haughty. The goddess Athena had huge power so that's probably why people chose her.