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.