Okupe named as LP presidential running mate

“To do that, you cannot do it alone, we need to put together this coalition and the so-called third force is now alive and for real. It is important for us to ensure that all the stakeholders are carried along from the beginning. We do not want a situation where an action is taken and people think that we have cooked this soup, we have finished it, so what is in for us. Because of this, I Dr Doyin Okupe is standing in as the vice presidential candidate for the Labour Party.”

Okupe’s name might have been submitted by the Labour Party as a placeholder – which can be changed later – to beat the deadline for submission of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is today.

When probed further if his name could be substituted later, Okupe said, “Choosing the vice presidential candidate is an electoral process and it does not stop until the process and schedule ends.

“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.”

The ex-presidential aide, who like Obi, contested the presidential ticket under the Peoples Democratic Party before pulling out, is the Director General of Peter Obi Campaign Organisation.