By The Labour Party has formally announced Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The party unveiled Baba-Ahmed at its national headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
It would be recalled that Doyin Okupe who was named as Obi’s ‘placeholder’ running mate, had announced his withdrawal as the vice-presidential candidate of the party, on Thursday.
Okupe, a former presidential aide, made this known in a tweet, saying his replacement would be unveiled soon.
On Friday, Obi announced Baba-Ahmed, the founder of Baze University, Abuja, as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor said Baba-Ahmed is “eminently qualified” to become Nigeria’s number two citizen.
“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,” he said.
“I know people will say you are not there yet, but I can tell you, I know where we are going.
“This is our right to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive. And you can’t do that without having people who have similar visions, 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.”
Accepting his nomination, Baba-Ahmed appreciated the leadership of the Labour Party and the presidential candidate for choosing him to be a “part of the movement to rescue Nigeria”.
The Kaduna-born Baba-Ahmed was a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, under the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).
He also represented Kaduna North in the Nigerian Senate from 2011 to 2012 when his victory was overturned by an election tribunal.
The 46-year-old politician was a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018.
