Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has decided to reveal his presidential ambitions soon following the All Progressives Congress (APC) national conference on February 26.
Despite continuous attacks against his now rumoured presidential ambition by some interests in the South-west, where he hails from, sources close to Osinbajo’s strategy team stated at the weekend that Osinbajo had made up his mind to run for president.
Inside sources stated that Osinbajo had received his spiritual father and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, had given him the blessing and charge to pursue his dream.
The source said, “Take it to the bank, he will run and he is declaring soon after the APC convention. All is set, including premium consultations already done. The coast is clear and the journey is looking good. I believe prof is also motivated by the increasing level of support from across the country, especially, the youths of this country.
“From the north to the south, tell me where he has visited recently and the charge has not been that he should contest? He has capacity, competence and knows what the issues are. Importantly, he can also sell them – I mean the issues. So, why will he not run? Why should the bitterness and envy of some minions stifle him?”
Sources said Osinbajo was unfazed by the growing allegations of betrayal and calls for him to abandon his ambition in favor of his former principal and alleged benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had since declared his intention to run, and that the attacks against him were the real motivation for him to take his chances.
The source added, “In fact, none of such bothers him. But he has done one thing though, he has called his supporters and pleaded with them never to talk down on Tinubu or engage in a mud fight with his support groups, even in the face of obvious provocation.”
Despite the growing support for Osinbajo to succeed Buhari, he is alleged to have held high-level meetings with notable Nigerians, many of whom have encouraged him to give the goal his best effort.
Osinbajo’s drive to run for president in 2023, comes from the first time he functioned as president, when Buhari was on medical leave in London, and made far-reaching choices in the national interest. It was also learned that taking active command during this time gave the vice president the confidence and motivation to want to succeed his current boss.
An APC member, who is favourably disposed to Osinbajo’s aspiration, stated, “It may be right to admit he stands a really good chance to succeed President Buhari after eight years as his deputy. He is an insider, who has had the opportunity of seeing things from high and serious vantage position, especially, having acted before on behalf of his boss.
“Although that may not be enough to get the presidency of Nigeria, because I believe and I know there are some politics directly connected to being the president of Nigeria. But, how well Osinbajo fits into that conversation is another debate altogether. From the list of those currently strutting the turf, he stands a really good chance, except the election is not his to lose.
“But, file this away, he is contesting and would declare after the APC convention. I am aware of that. There’s actually no stopping him. The supports have been sweeping and encouraging and for him, this opportunity might just be once and might never come his way again. Sincerely, he has nothing to lose throwing his hat in the ring. After all, he is already a frontline aspirant.”
Asked if it was true that Adeboye had given his blessing, the party chieftain, who would rather maintain anonymity, stated, “I am not privy to that, but it’s also a simple logic. Osinbajo is a pastor in Redeem and Baba Adeboye would never leave one of his own to support someone else. I also believe he must have hinted him. Honestly, the days ahead will be interesting.”
