•Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reportedly notified President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to run for President in 2023.
Jude Johnson
A report in Daily Trust revealed that Osinbajo informed Buhari of his desire to take over from him at the expiration of his tenure in 2023.
The former Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice attributed his decision to his desire in consolidating the achievements they recorded since they took over from the opposition PDP in 2015. Consequently, Osinbajo will have to contend for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); putting him in contention with his former boss, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu, arguably the front-runner for the APC ticket, had earlier visited the Presidential Villa; where he told Buhari of his intention to succeed him in 2023.
Quoting sources, the medium revealed that Buhari was not surprised about Osinbajo’s ambition.
“Certainly, VP Osinbajo has told the president that he wants to succeed him. The vice president had first consulted some prominent Nigerians who encouraged him to vie for the presidency…They also encouraged him to tell the president himself.
“They told him not to allow a third party to tell the president so that the ambition will not be misconstrued.”
Equally important, Buhari had reportedly given Osinbajo his blessings.
“Buhari smiled in his usual characteristic manner…He listened to the VP carefully and while responding; he gave him the green light and wished him well; without giving him any commitment or assurance of supporting him ahead of other contenders.
“He blessed the intention just the way he blessed Tinubu when he visited him in the Villa and unveiled his plan to vie for the presidency.
“And I think the president is being careful. Remember what he said while granting an interview to a national television.”
Interestingly, Osinbajo has enjoyed the support of a number of groups who have all encouraged him to vie for office.
In addition to Tinubu, other members of the ruling party that may likely join the presidential race are Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.
Meanwhile, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu and former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha have all declared their interest in the presidency on the platform of the APC.
Credit | Daily Trust, 1st N