Mr Idahosa, an incident of Edo State, is a pastor at the popular Illumination Assembly.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Thursday announced a bishop, Isaac Idahosa, as the running mate of Rabiu Kwankwaso, for the 2023 presidential election.
The choice of Mr Idahosa came almost six weeks after the collapse of an alliance talk with Peter Obi’s Labour Party (LP).
Both NNPP and LP were earlier working on a possible way of aligning forces of Messrs Kwankwaso and Obi on the same ticket as presidential and vice presidential candidates.
The talks allegedly failed due to the inability of the two to reach a compromise on who should take the number one and two slots.
After a meeting on Thursday, the party’s National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, confirmed the development in a phone conversation.
He said the NNPP will release an official statement in respect to the news.
Mr Idahosa, an Edo State indigene, is a pastor at the popular Illumination Assembly.
Mr Obi has since picked a former senator, Yusuf Ahmed Datti, as his running mate.
The popular cleric was eventually nominated among the 20 candidates shortlisted for screening.
The spokesperson, Muyiwa Fatosa, said the choice of Mr Idahosa was largely informed by his outstanding record and integrity.
“Idahosa was selected because of his outstanding record, his impeccable integrity, his broad understanding of the Nigerian State and its contemporary challenges, his undiluted commitment to improving the conditions of Nigerians, and his sincere believe that a New and Better Nigeria is possible if we work together with sincerity, tolerance, competence, and faith.
“A self-made achiever and a credible Nigerian, Bishop Idahosa is also selected because he represents the definition of a true role-model for the Nigerian youth,” Mr Fatosa said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The official unveiling of Mr Kwankwaso’s running mate will be held on Monday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
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