Peter Obi coming under increased pressure to pick Shehu Sani as his running mate

FORMER Anambra State governor Peter Obi is coming under increased pressure from his supporters to pick the one-time lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District Senator Shehu Sani as his running mate for next year's presidential elections.

Last month, Governor Obi was unanimously selected as the Labour Party's presidential candidate after the only other aspirant Professor Pat Utomi stood down for him. Governor Obi had left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Labour Party after it emerged that he would not get the presidential ticket in what had become a dollarised auction.

Senator Sani who left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP after falling out with Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, is also a victim of no wanting to play money politics. He recently sought the PDP's gubernatorial ticket in Kaduna State but only got two votes as he refused to bribe or pay delegates.

Over the last few days, several of Senator Sani's followers on Facebook have suggested that Governor Obi should have picked him as his running mate. Governor Obi is a southern Christian and with Senator Sani being a northern Muslim, the combination is seen as an ideal ticket.

Reacting to his fan who suggested the team up with Governor Obi, Senator Sani urged the Facebook follower to delete the post. Having said that, Senator Sani recently published a photograph of a meeting between Governor Obi and himself at an airport.

Senator Sani shared this photo on his verified Twitter page with the caption My friend Peter joining poor people like me on the masses side of the airport. On Facebook, many followers took to praising both men for their humility.

For now, however, Senator Sani remains a member of the PDP and he will need to officially join the Labour Party to get selected. Being a civil rights activists, Senator Sani should not have any problem fitting into the Labour Party, however.