Doyin Okupe has hinted at the Labour Party choosing a young northerner as the running mate to Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Okupe said this on Friday during an interview with Channels TV while confirming he is just a placeholder until consultations and coalition in the Labour Party are concluded.
When asked about the Christian-Christian ticket affecting Obi’s chances, Okupe disclosed that the Labour Party is considering a young vice president and he is also willing to sacrifice to return power to the youth.
Okupe said, “Nigerian youths must move closer to the Labour Party, we are prepared to make any sacrifice to have Nigerian youths have the country back in their hands and willing to make ourselves available at any cost so Nigerian youths can ride on our backs to power and that includes the position of the vice president.
“The choice of Okupe as VP candidate is in consonance with Nigerian constitution and electoral act.
“Our ultimate goal is to find the way to bring our dream and aspiration of handing over power to young Nigerians. We are considering someone who is much less in age to Obi and of northern descent.
“We are also considering so many things like coalition with the third force, we need NNPP, SDP and everybody.”
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed reports that its Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will contest the 2023 Presidential elections as running mate to his counterpart in the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
According to the NNPP, there was never a time such a discussion or negotiation was held.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Agbo Major, said this in Abuja, on Sunday.
He said, “NNPP has never at any time said its esteemed Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso could accept to be Labour Party, Peter Obi’s deputy.
“The report is misleading and embarrassing to our great party, its Presidential Candidate, Kwankwaso and millions of supporters in Nigeria and in the diaspora, and urges journalists to crosscheck their reports before publishing them to avoid national disaffection ahead of the crucial 2023 general election.
“As a mass movement, NNPP acknowledged alliance talks with Labour Party that would consolidate and boost the nation’s frail democracy as we collectively strive for a new Nigeria which the party champions.“
He noted that the NNPP has high regard for journalists as the watchdog of society and major stakeholders in the Nigeria democratic process and urges them to always crosscheck their reports before publishing them in tandem with the ethics of their profession.
Major expressed confidence that together with the media, the NNPP “shall build a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic society.“
