The presidential candidate of the
All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari has revealed the reason behind
his choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate for the 2015 presidential
election.
According to Buhari, Osinbajo is a
man of unquestionable integrity, who is certain to work assiduously with him in
restoring hope to the people of Nigeria.
The former head of state said that
Osinbajo was chosen after a rigorous process that involved the use of objective
criteria, broad consultations with party leaders and a few opinion leaders
outside the party, as well as interactions with a number of nominees.
“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,” Buhari said, while unveiling his running mate at a brief ceremony in
Abuja.
“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.
“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
Professor 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,” Buhari said.
Osinbajo, a Professor of Law, Senior
Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General
during the administration of former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu.
He is also a senior pastor at the
Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG and a confidant of the church’s leader,
Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
In his acceptance speech, Osinbajo
expressed gratitude to Buhari and the APC for finding him worthy to serve.
“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 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,” he said.