The Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Kogi state, Sen Dino Melaye has picked Habeebat Deen as his running mate for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State.

The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday unveiled Deen at a brief unveiling ceremony held at the Abuja residence of a former governor of the state Ibrahim Idris.

Deen was a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly. She hails from Ankpa Local Government Area.

Speaking before the unveiling, Melaye said the choice was unprecedented by any major political party in the state, adding that, “we will continue to do things that are innovative and different.”

Present at the unveiling were the state PDP chairman, Sam Ohuotu; Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd); Idris; Prince Olusola Akanmode; Tom Adaba, and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan among others.

Gen. Ogbeha congratulated Melaye for quickly and seamlessly nominating a deputy governorship candidate, saying that by the act “he (Melaye) has shown his gender sensitivity.”

He added: “It’s a divine choice. He has made a statement beyond Kogi State because it will generate a lot of interests, excitement and goodwill.”

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was the PDP candidate for the 2023 Kogi Central senatorial election, said it was natural for Kogi West to produce the next governor of Kogi State while also praising the gender balance of the PDP ticket.

She noted that carrying women along in governance would make a lot of difference even as she promised to mobilise Kogi Central women for the PDP success in the November 11 governorship election.