By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former presidential spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, has said he is “standing in” as vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
Okupe disclosed this while speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’, on Friday.
If his candidacy holds, he would be Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential elections.
However, Okupe might be a placeholder to beat INEC’s June 17 deadline for the submission of vice presidential candidate’s name.
“I’m standing in as the vice presidential candidate of the party.Labour party has submitted my name as the VP of the party.
“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.
“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,” Okupe said.
