Presidency 2023: Why Prof. Jega declined being running mate to Peter Obi

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, at the crucial point of negotiations in the Third Force movement for the 2023 presidential election, opted out of the arrangements for the presidential ticket after the movement resolved to contest the 2023 election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

In the initial negotiations, Prof. Jega was to be running mate to Professor Pat Utomi, in a joint presidential ticket arrangement of the Third Force Movement before Peter Obi joined the Movement after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Prof Utomi stepped down for Peter Obi after his decamping to the Labour Party (LP). Jega was said to be reluctant for the vice presidential ticket, which led to the nomination of Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba Hamed as the running mate to Obi.

Prof. Jega had given an excuse with his health status; saying that he has health challenges and cannot stand national campaigns.

However, Jega did not promise his support for the presidential candidate of the movement, rather, the former INEC chairman lends his support to local level in Kano, Kebbi, where he has governorship candidates. He was subsequently appointed chairman of the PRP campaign council in Kebbi State.