By Gideon Njoku
The race for the office of the President, and who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 is getting more interest.
A big ish has emerged in the arena. A big masquerade has unveiled himself.
Nigeria’s articulate, smart and cerebral Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, a Professor of Law, will finally declare his aspiration to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in the morning of today, April 11, 2022.
A favorite of many because of his calmness and quick grasp of situations, speculations have been high for months that Osinbajo would take a shot at the office of the President.
However, many were of the view that he would not declare because of his relationship with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, always touted as his political godfather because Osinbajo was his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice when he, Tinubu, was the Governor of Lagos State.
It is, also, touted that it was Tinubu who recommended him to Buhari as his running mate when he, Tinubu, was dropped because most people in the then newly formed APC were not comfortable with a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Yet, many insist that Tinubu and his group submitted three names out of which Buhari picked Osinbajo.
Not a few people believe that Tinubu Declares early for the office in order to stop Osinbajo from throwing in his hat.
In declaring today, Osinbajo will not follow the conventional manner of addressing a World Press Conference, or declaring before a congregation packed in a hall or stadium. Osinbajo will, simply, release a recorded video message this Monday morning to offer his services to Nigeria and Nigerians. Thereafter, there will be rallies across States and Cities in Nigeria.
Calm and collected, Osinbajo has been Buhari’s loyal Deputy since 2015, and has added an intellectual bent and fertile mind to governance.
A couple of months ago, the influential Financial Times of London had endorsed him as a reliable and capable hand with the capacity to wake up Nigeria.
As a prelude to his declaration today, Osinbajo had a meeting/ dinner with the Governors of the APC, Sunday evening, where he briefed them on his aspiration and sought for their understanding and support.
A native of Ogun State, Osinbajo is married to the equally calm Dolapo, like him, a Lawyer, and a grand daughter of the late sage and revered Yoruba Leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The APC zoned its Presidential office to the South. Before Osinbajo, Tinubu, Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, and Chibuike Amaechi, Minister For Transportation, had declared interest in the office of the President in 2023.
