The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unveiled its deputy governorship candidate for the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election. The PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, presented Hon. Habeebat Deen as the party’s deputy governorship candidate during a brief unveiling ceremony held at the private residence of a former governor of the State, Alh. Ibrahim Idris, in Abuja.
Hon. Deen was a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly and hails from Ankpa local government area of Kogi East senatorial zone of the State. The choice of Hon. Deen as the deputy governorship candidate is unprecedented by any major political party in the State, and Senator Melaye expressed his commitment to doing innovative and different things.
Present at the unveiling event were the State PDP chairman, Engr. Sam Ohuotu; Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd); former Governor Ibrahim Idris; Prince Olusola Akanmode; Dr. Tom Adaba, and Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, among other party stalwarts and members. General Ogbeha congratulated Senator Melaye for his gender-sensitive choice, which he believes will generate a lot of interests, excitement, and goodwill.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the PDP candidate for the 2023 Kogi Central senatorial election, praised the gender balance of the PDP ticket and emphasized the importance of carrying women along in governance. She promised to mobilize Kogi Central women for the PDP success in the governorship election. Former Governor Ibrahim Idris called for unity among PDP members in the State to achieve victory at the poll.
In conclusion, Senator Melaye’s nomination of Hon. Habeebat Deen as the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Kogi State for the 2023 gubernatorial election is a historic and innovative choice that demonstrates the party’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.