In continuation of his country-wide consultations, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Sunday, met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Obasanjo received the 2023 candidates at his residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Also present was the Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Ituah Ighodalo, a social justice activist.
Obi’s ally and a former United Nations official, Oseloka Obaze, shared photos of the meeting on social media.
Obaze was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer for the 2017 Anambra governorship election.
Before Sunday’s visit to the former president, pictures of Obi’s visit to the former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, had surfaced online.
Obi, former Anambra State governor, on July 8, 2022, unveiled Baba-Ahmed as his running mate.
Baba-Ahmed is the founder of Baze University, Abuja. The 53-year-old is a former lawmaker who represented Kaduna North Senatorial district.
The economist cum politician served as Senator for Kaduna North and a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007.
Speaking at the ceremony, Obi said the unveiling signaled his resolve and that of the Labour Party 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 to look 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, 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.”
On his part, Baba-Ahmed said his decision to accept the nomination was borne out of his commitment to rescuing Nigeria.
He also said Obi and other Labour party stakeholders also played a major role in his decision as he bought into their agenda and movement of getting Nigeria to where it should be.
He said, “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.
“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 that which is 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.”