Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr Oby Ezekwesili has announced the choice of Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima as her running mate, in the forthcoming elections.

She made the announcement in Ilorin, Kwara State, where she also unveiled her manifesto.

Galadima is the chairman and former presidential candidate of the ACPN.

A statement from Ezekwesili’s campaign organisation HOPE 2019 describes him as a “businessman, an effective administrator, a political leader, a seasoned community builder and political leader born on the 11th of June 1964.

“Galadima has dedicated a significant portion of his life serving Nigeria through people-centred politics at the grassroots level – from the ward to the state and at the national levels.”

The statement added, “He holds studied Law and Public Administration at the Kwara State Polytechnic, where he also served as a member of its governing council.

“As a businessman who is chairman of major business boards, he has private sector and corporate governance experience with a market-focused, enterprise, friendly government vision.”

On her part, Ezekwesili said, “Galadima brings to the Hope2019 ticket an invaluable experience at grassroots politics at the state, local government and national levels. This experience complements my incomparable competence and capacity when it comes to socio-economic and governance issues.

“Like me, Alhaji Galadima has shown a long-standing commitment to the fight to rescue our nation by standing with people of integrity, including refusing to join questionable alliances and coalitions led and bankrolled by ruling parties in this election and in that of 2015, where he ultimately emerged as the fourth most popular candidate across the nation.

“Together, by the grace of God, we will work closely, selflessly and as a team to fight for every Nigerian person, family, community, ward or state, and rescue our country from the clutches of an irresponsible political class; lifting 80+ million Nigerians out of poverty and unlocking prosperity for every citizen.”

Meanwhile, the ACPN vice presidential candidate assured Ezekwesili of his loyalty and promised to work towards getting people’s mandate in the 2019 general elections.

Galadima, who described himself as a grassroots politician, said that he would join the presidential candidate to traverse length and width of the country.