All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), yesterday explained why he settled for former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, as his running mate for the 2015 presidential ballot.

Speaking while unveiling Osibajo at the APC headquarters, Wuse, Abuja, Buhari, who spent five days in search of a running mate, said:

On how he settled for Osibajo, the APC candidate said: “The challenging process of rescuing our country and changing Nigeria for good has commenced. One of the first decisions that I have to make is the choice of the vice presidential candidate and my running mate.

“The method employed in this choice was quite meticulous but yet rigorous. It involved the establishment of objective criteria, broad consultations with party leaders and a few opinion leaders outside the party and interactions with a number of nominees.

“To assist me in this great task of securing Nigeria’s future, I have chosen a man of unimpeachable integrity, an excellent professional, a man of faith, a devoted family man and a role model to our fellow countrymen and women. He is a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He is an alumnus of University of Lagos and London School of Economics.

“He is a prodigious author, who has to his credit several books on civil procedure in Nigerian superior courts. The vice presidential candidate is a friend of the less privileged, compassionate and zealous in service; a man of uncommon humility, a loyal, dependable and selfless patriot.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Prof. Yemi Osibajo, who by the grace of God and the vote of Nigerians will be the next vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The former Head of State, who read from a prepared speech, commended Nigerians for the positive response to his candidature and spoke abput his plans for the country if voted into power. Hear him: “I wish to thank all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have continued to send messages of goodwill and congratulations to me and the party since my election as the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The huge outpouring of support and acceptance had been a great encouragement to me and hardened my resolve to lead the process of rebuilding a New Nigeria and securing our future.

“In my acceptance speech, I pledged to run an efficient government, fight corruption and indiscipline in our national life. I promised to end the current regime of fear and uncertainty in our country and place priority on national security. I also pledged to rebuild our battered economy and reduce poverty by deliberate policies to create jobs.”

•Photo shows Buhari.