The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has picked Haleemat Busari as his running mate for the 2019 election.
Described as a Muslim activist, Mrs Busari is a law graduate from the University of Lagos and a director on the board of several blue-chip companies.
She was a director in Zain Nigeria Ltd (now Airtel Nigeria) and a serving director in First Bank, Sierra Leone.
A statement on Thursday by the director of media and publicity of the Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organisation, Felix Oboagwina, said the PDP candidate picked Mrs Busari following comprehensive consultations with leaders and stakeholders within and outside the party.
“Mrs Oluwayemisi Haleemat Busari came highly recommended and widely endorsed.
“Stakeholders all agree that without any iota of a doubt, the Jimi-Haleemat combination is a winning ticket on every count,” the statement said.
Married to Teslim Busari (SAN), Mrs Busari was born in 1964, to the family of the late Ahmed Giwa, a businessman and vice president of Jamatul Islamiyya of Nigeria from Epe, and the late Mrs Mujibat Giwa (nee Shonibare), a princess of the Kosoko royal family from Isale Eko.
According to Oboagwina, Mrs Busari will be bringing to the joint ticket her versatility and connections as a professional in corporate governance, as a Muslim activist and as a bonafide daughter of native Lagos.
Called to the bar in 1991, Busari is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA).
“Oluwayemisi’s life and beliefs are guided by her strong Islamic faith, which has been her foundation all her life,” the statement said.
It added that in her 20s, Mrs Busari co-founded, as the founding Amira (female head), the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA), an organisation that provides a network and fellowship platform for young Muslim professionals.
