The Labour Party on Friday unveiled Yussuf Datti Ahmed-Baba as the running mate of its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Senator Ahmed-Baba, an economist and a former senator who represented Kaduna North from 2011 to 2012 accepted the nomination, thanked Obi and his team for choosing him and pledged to join Obi on his move to rescue Nigeria.
Read full speech below:
”I thank Almighty Allah for bringing us to where we are and for what we are doing here and now. More so, I remain ever so grateful and indebted to my leader, my principal and president to be, and his team who worked diligently researched and found me. I remain forever humbled and appreciative of this consideration.
”My task is simple and it is to accept this nomination and this candidacy. Just before I do that I should normally give justification as follows:
”The undeniable, unchallengeable fundamental reason for being on this ticket is to rescue Nigeria. You can only rescue that which is in trouble. 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 propriety. I believe Nigerian people will unite. Let me deviate a bit, having come from educational background, I belong to the system which when you walk into a classroom and after one hour you come out a changed person. Ever since I met His excellency, Peter Obi, I’ve been changing every time we see.”
There’s a message I’m going to tell you. You can only get this message from someone who is knowledgeable, someone who researches. When I hear a valuable thing I know it and I cannot let it pass. The fertile land in the North is the crude oil of Nigeria. How much more nationalist can you be? How much more detribalised can be? I see a brighter future for Nigeria from such comments.
”I want to justify from the angle of the individuals. He who was motivated by success in the private sector and fought and became a governor for a eight year and since then has maintained integrity and honour is one that will not fail in his campaign promises, Peter Obi.
”He who believes in financial propriety will not engage in political rascality, Peter Obi. He who believes in credibility and integrity in the matter of who to associate with will not mismanage personal, human and community relations, Peter Obi. ”
”Your Excellency, this is a high point in my life. This is a high point in my career. Having said this, with all trust to Almighty Allah and with my belief that I am doing this for the sake of Nigeria. With all humility I accept your generous nomination to serve as the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 elections.”
