By Adadareporters
Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, chose Dr Doyin Okupe as his running mate in the 2023 general election as a sto-gap measure.
Chief Moses Maku, a chieftain of the Labour Party, stated this in a chat with Adadareporters at Udi, Enugu State.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave all political parties up until 6pm on Friday to submit their presidential candidates and running mates.
In his words, “Labour Party made the best of the last opportunities to submit Dr Okupe as Obi’s running mate. Discussions are ongoing to get the most acceptable, competent and charismatic running mate for our dear party.
“When that is done, the person will replace Dr Okupe. Okupe is also the arrowhead in the election bid of Mr Peter Obi. We urge our faithful to remain supportive and unshaken.”
Our correspondent reports that the new Electoral Act provides that parties could substitute candidates for an election in the event of death or withdrawal of such candidates from the race.
Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 reads: “A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate:
“Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the Commission for the election concerned.”
