Peter Obi Submits Doyin Okupe to INEC as ‘Standing’ Running Mate

By Ahmed Ayanfe

Former presidential spokesperson Dr Doyin Okupe on Friday said he is ‘standing in’ as the running mate to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Okupe made the announcement on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Okupe said his name has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Obi’s form.

“Choosing the vice presidential candidate is an electoral process and it does not stop until the process and schedule ends,” Okupe said.

Like the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu, Okupe said he might be replaced later.

“INEC allows you to present a candidate and later on, if you want to substitute, you may do so, if necessary. But if it’s not necessary, you may as well continue.

“So, the present situation is that we believe that this Labour party government that is essentially going to be about young Nigerians.

“Those of us who have been part and parcel of our sordid past must be prepared to pay the sacrifice, even the personal sacrifice, of allowing a situation we can lift our youths to positions of power and authority.

“I am willing to put down my back, so that young people can stand and come to the top.”

“INEC allows you to present a candidate and later on, if you want to substitute, you may do so, if necessary. But if it’s not necessary, you may as well continue.

“So the present situation is that we believe that this Labour party government that is essentially going to be about young Nigerians.

“Those of us who have been part and parcel of our sordid past must be prepared to pay the sacrifice, even the personal sacrifice, of allowing a situation we can lift our youths to positions of power and authority.

“I am willing to put down my back, so that young people can stand and come to the top.”