The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has unveiled his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Baba-Ahmed, the founder of Baze University, Abuja, was announced as the LP vice-presidential candidate in Abuja on Friday.
The 46-year-old was a former lawmaker who represented the Kaduna North Senatorial District.
Baba-Ahmed’s announcement was coming barely 24 hours after the Director-General of Peter Obi’s Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, announced his withdrawal as the vice-presidential candidate of the party.
Okupe, who announced his withdrawal via his verified Twitter handle @doyinokupe, noted that his party would announce the new running mate to the presidential candidate.
“This afternoon, I submitted my withdrawal letter from the position of the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party to INEC. A replacement will be announced by the national chairman of the party shortly. I feel greatly blessed to have been part of the foundation of success for the LP,” Okupe tweeted.
The PUNCH reports that,, like the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party had named Okupe as the interim vice presidential candidate of the LP in order to beat the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Speaking at the event on Friday, Obi, who apologised for the postponement of the event from Thursday to Friday, said the unveiling signals the party’s resolve in the journey to “take back Nigeria”.
“It is good to be here today after weeks and months that we have gone round, consulted and searched around and looked for somebody who fits the bill of what we are trying to do.
“Today, I am proud to say I have been able to meet and secure somebody who is eminently qualified and fits the bill to be the Vice President of Nigeria.
“I know people will say you are not there yet, but I can tell you, I know where we are going,” Obi said.
Continuing, he said, “This is our right to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive. And you can’t do that without having people who have similar visions and ideas and are prepared for the task. So, I have the honour today to present to you, God willing, Nigeria’s next Vice President in the person of Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Choice of running mate
Obi had on Wednesday opened up on his choice of running mate, saying he preferred a younger person as his vice-presidential candidate.
The former Anambra State governor stated this while featured on the Arise TV Morning Show.
He added that he prefers a younger person who has something to offer to complement his ticket rather than recycling old hands who have been in the government before now.
He said, “We’re talking to a quiet number of people, and Baba-Ahmed is a capable hand, and I wish he were the one. But I wish I could work with somebody younger.
“I prefer younger people with fresh ideas who have a lot to offer rather than recycling old hands. I want a competent person, and I am building a formidable team.
“I want people who can look me in the eye and disagree with me during cabinet meetings. People who have their own minds and ideas. If you agree with me in three meetings, then you are gone because that means you don’t have your own ideas. I want people and cabinet members who can say, ‘Mr. President, you are wrong’.”
