The Labour Party (LP) is set to unveil Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed on Friday as running mate to its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Baba-Ahmed, who is in his 40s, is the founder of Baze University, Abuja and Baba-Ahmed University Kano.

Labour Party national chairman, Julius Abure, said the unveiling will be done in Abuja on Friday.

Obi settled for Baba-Ahmed, a politician turned academic, following the resignation of Dr Doyin Okupe, who had been the placeholder for the position.

According to Obi, during his interview with AriseTV, “We are talking to quite a number of people and Hakeem Baba-Ahmed is a capable hand. But I wish I could work with somebody who is younger.”

“I prefer younger people who have a lot to offer rather than recycling old hands.

I want a competent person and I am building a formidable team.

“I want people who can look me in the eyes and disagree with me during cabinet meetings. People who have their own minds and ideas.”

Baba Ahmed was born in 1975 and attended the University of Maiduguri, where he studied economics, up to the Masters level.

He had his NYSC at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta. After his service year, he worked as Projects Co-ordinator, Baze Research and Data Services Ltd. and as Officer II in the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Lagos. He also worked as a Banking Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Plc from July 1997 to Dec 1998 and then came back to become the Managing Director of Baze Research and Data Services Ltd in July 1999 – January 2003, before venturing into politics.

He was elected as a House of Representatives member for Zaria in 2003. In between his tenure in 2006, he received an MBA from University of Wales, Cardiff, the same year he completed his PhD studies, earning the title of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Westminster