How my running mate was chosen, by Buhari

Yemi Osinbajo, frontline teacher, preacher, lawyer and administrator, is All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate, it was announced yesterday.

Osinbajo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former attorney general and commissioner for Justice in Lagos, emerged through a meticulous process, Gen. Buhari said in Abuja, adding that he picked a man of unimpeachable integrity to assist him in rescuing Nigeria.

Also yesterday, APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke of his being offered the job, which he declined in the interest of the party and as a patriot.
Gen. Buhari, who spoke while presenting Osinbajo to Nigerians at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, described his running mate as a friend of the less-
privileged.

He said: “The challenging process of rescuing our country and changing Nigeria for good has commenced. One of the first decisions that I have to make is the choice of the
vice-presidential candidate and my running mate.
“The method employed in this choice was quite meticulous but yet rigorous. It involved the establishment of objective criteria, broad consultations with party leaders and a few opinion leaders outside the party and interactions with a number of nominees.”

Clad in blue Babanriga, the former Head of State listed the outstanding qualities that endeared him to Osinbajo.

He added: “To assist me in this great task of securing Nigeria’s future, I have chosen a man of unimpeachable integrity, an excellent professional, a man of faith, a devoted family man and a role model to our fellow countrymen and women. He is a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“An alumnus of the University of Lagos and the London School of Economics, he is a prodigious author who has to his credit several books on civil procedure in Nigerian
superior courts.

“The vice-presidential candidate is a friend of the less privileged, compassionate and zealous in service. A man of uncommon humility, a loyal, dependable and selfless
patriot.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who by the grace of God and the vote of Nigerians will be the next vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The small crowd of party chiefs clapped excitedly as Gen. Buhari raised Osinbajo’s hand. 
Gen. Buhari praised Nigerians for their goodwill since he emerged as the presidential candidate of APC.

He added: “I wish to thank all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have continued to send messages of goodwill and congratulations to me and the party since my election
as the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

“The huge outpouring of support and acceptance has been a great encouragement to me and hardened my resolve to lead the process of rebuilding a New Nigeria and securing
our future.

“In my acceptance speech, I pledged to run an efficient government, fight corruption and indiscipline in our national life. I promised to end the current regime of fear and uncertainty in our country and place priority on national security.

“I also pledged to rebuild our battered economy and reduce poverty by deliberate policies to create jobs.
Osinbajo, all smiles, was calm as he responded to Gen. Buhari’s speech. He wore his trademark black suit, a white shirt and a red tie.

He said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to have been nominated as the vice-presidential candidate of our party, APC and especially the presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

“I also thank the leaders and elders of our great party, APC for the trust reposed in me.

“The task of rebuilding this nation is one to which I am fully committed. There can be no other president, leader and commander that can lead that common sense revolution Nigeria urgently needs than General Muhammadu Buhari. I will proudly serve this country with him.

“General Buhari’s uprightness and fierce commitment to good governance is well known. It will be a privilege to work with him.

“I come to this assignment with lots of hope and a resolve to be a part of this movement to bring Nigeria back to its lost glory. With the support of all Nigerians and the help of
God, we shall make Nigeria work again.

“I will work with him and the party to restore hope and confidence in millions of our youths and provide comfort and security for millions of our country men and women.”
The unveiling of Osinbajo was done at the jam-packed conference hall of the APC with many stalwarts of the party in attendance.

Gen. Buhari and Osinbajo were heralded into the hall at the party’s secretariat at about 4.33 pm. With them were former Governors Bukola Saraki, Danjuma Goje and Kayode Fayemi; Senators Babafemi Ojudu and Olurunnibe Mamora, and members of the House of Representatives, including spokesman Zakari Mohammed; and Conference of Nigerian Political Parties(CNPP) spokesman Osita Okechukwu.
Those who witnessed the 10-minute event were the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Lawal Shuaibu; Deputy National Chairman ( South), former Governor Segun Oni; National Secretary Mai Mala Buni; Deputy National Vice Chairman , North West, Mr. Inuwa AbdulKadir; National
Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed and National Organizing Secretary Osita Izunaso.

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