Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Aduragbemi Omiyale and Adedapo Adesanya
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has formally announced his intention to contest for the post of the President of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections.
In a video posted on Monday morning, Mr Osinbajo said he has served the nation along with his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the past seven years in different capacities, getting prepared for being a leader someday.
According to him, “I have visited our gallant troops in the northeast and our brothers and sisters in the IDPs (internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps. I have been in markets, factories, and schools, listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people. I know the hopes and fears of these people.
“I believe that the reason that God gave me these experiences and insights and opportunities is to make things better, which is why I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Mr Osinbajo said if elected, he will rapidly transform the nation’s intelligence, complete the reforms of the judicial systems and ensure the rule of law is upheld and then provide a conducive environment for businesses.
He further said the current social welfare package would be made bigger, while the target of his boss to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty would be met. He also promised to reform the education sector by ensuring that children attend schools.
The Vice President described Mr Buhari as a “true Nigerian patriot, a servant of the nation in war and peace and a man of integrity,” noting that they have both remained focused on securing the country and providing infrastructure and growing the economy.
Mr Osinbajo is the latest member of the ruling party to join the race. Others in the party that have declared to become president next year include the party leader, Mr Bola Tinubu; the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Dave Umahi; and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
Mr Osinbajo, 65, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former lecturer at the University of Lagos. He is also a senior pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and has served in an official capacity as an Adviser (Legal Advice and Litigation) to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Bola Ajibola, a position he held for four years.
The Vice-President was appointed the Attorney-General of Lagos State in 1999 by then-Governor, Mr Tinubu and held the position till the end of Tinubu’s tenure in 2007.
He materialized as the running-mate to President Buhari in 2014 and in 2015, he became the VP after they ousted former President Goodluck Jonathan through the polls.
