The presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, HE Peter Obi has named his running mate in the forthcoming general election scheduled for February 25, 2023.
This comes following much apprehension, anxiety and seemingly obtrusive moves by the opposition to deny the former governor of Anambra State, whose evident popularity is growing astronomically as the days speed by, the opportunity to get a credible running mate that will share in his passion, mission and vision.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s deadline drew fast, Obi and his party, in order to satisfy the yearnings of millions of Nigerians, decided to capitalise on the window of substitution to gain enough time to get it right. And when they eventually did, nothing could have been more glaring than the fact that The Team for a New Nigeria that will effectively galvanise Nigeria’s Second Independence is loadingโฆ
Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has stepped in to replace Dr. Doyin Okupe who had been Obi’s running mate on a placeholder capacity while the diligent search and consultations lasted.
The choice of Sen. Baba-Ahmed has elicited jubilation across the country, reminiscent of the reaction that greeted the declaration of Obi to join the Presidential race on April 6, three months ago. Both attestations are to the confidence of the public on the capacity and moral probity of Obi and Baba-Ahmed to manage the affairs of Nigeria.
Obi and LP couldn’t have expressed in more affirmative terms that the Nigerian youths form the fulcrum of their quest to turnaround the country from Consumption to Production economy. At 50, Baba-Ahmed is appreciably representing the younger generation.
But the Kaduna-born scholar and politician is not only about young age. He is an astute Economist with a Bachelors and Masters degrees in Economics from the University of Maiduguri, Borno state. He also holds an MBA from University of Wales, Cardiff and a PhD from the University of Westminster.
The scion of the renowned Baba-Ahmed, an immigrant to Zaria from Mauritania in the early decades of the last century, is reputable for his very strong anti-corruption stand and passion for quality education. He is the founder of Baze University Abuja, and the Baba-Ahmed University Kano (awaiting licence).
With a rich past of descending from the famed Baba-Ahmed, the patriach of the dynasty, who was a reputable scholar on Islamic Jurisprudence and renowned teacher at Barewa Collge, Zaria, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed adds to the growing wide acceptance of Obi’s candidacy. The vice presidential candidate also brings to the race his wealth of experience that cuts across the corporate and public sectors.
He was a Federal House of Representatives’ member for the Zaria Federal Constituency (2003-2007) and the Senator Representing Kaduna North Senatorial District (2011-2012) both under the Platform of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP.
Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed is the younger brother of consummate Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Director of Publicity of the Northern Elders Forum. As a corporate sector guru, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed was a banker with the First Bank of Nigeria, worked in the Security Printing and Minting, Lagos before he founded the Baze Research and Data Services Ltd where he held sway as the MD before his venture into politics in 2003.
When the man fondly called Okwute and the Labour Party promised to turnaround Nigeria for the better, they were not exaggerating. To the Obidient Movement faithfuls, the waiting is over. If there’s anything like a perfect match, HE Peter Gregory Obi and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed are the real deal.
Note: Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed was unveiled today, July8, 2022 at the Labour Party House, Abuja by 11. 00 am. His acceptance speech is something to remember.
From:
Peter Obi Express Media, POEM
