ABUJA — Labour Party (LP)presidential candidate Peter Obi has announced Datti Baba-Ahmed, founder of Baze University, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Peter Obi made the announcement at an event in Abuja on Friday.
Baba-Ahmed is a Kaduna-born politician and a graduate of Economics from the University of Maiduguri.
He represented the Zaria Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007.
In 2011, he was elected as the Senator for Kaduna North Senatorial District but his election was overturned by the Electoral Tribunal in 2012.
According to Peter Obi, Baba-Ahmed is eminently qualified to be Nigeria’s vice-president if the party wins the presidential election next year.
“This is our match to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive and you can’t do it without having people who have a similar vision, idea and are prepared for that onerous task,” he said.
‘Why I accepted to be Obi’s running mate’
In Baba-Ahmed’s acceptance speech, he noted his commitment to rescuing Nigeria as one of the reasons he accepted to join the presidential race with Obi.
“My task here today is simple and it is to accept my nomination but just before I do that, I should give justifications as follows,” he said.
“The undeniable and unchallengeable fundamental reason for being on this ticket is to rescue Nigeria.
“And it goes logically without saying that you can only rescue those which are in trouble and Nigeria is in trouble and I cannot afford not to be part of the movement to rescue Nigeria.
“The second reason is that I believe in the greatness of Nigeria. I believe there will be peace and prosperity, and I believe Nigeria people will unite.”
Baba-Ahmed also said Obi’s integrity and achievements in the private sector is another reason he accepted to join the presidential race.
The unveiling of Baba-Ahmed as Obi’s running mate comes less than 24 hours after Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant on public affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, announced his withdrawal as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
The party had in June named Okupe as its “placeholder” vice-presidential candidate.
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