OPINION: Osinbajo Up Close

By Chukwudi  Wonodi

This is the decisive week in the emergence of presidential candidates for the major parties. The traversing of the country on consultations is coming to a close.  The scramble among what is clearly a multitude of aspirants for the top job is about to draw to a close.

For Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, this is the final stretch in what has been a spirited and methodical journey to party pre -eminence and candidacy for the 2023 presidential election.

This is a race in which Osinbajo has emerged as heads and shoulders above the other contestants both in his party and the opposition PDP.  Literally, this season of presidential aspirations can be described as a contest between Osinbajo and the rest both in character and content.

Apart from the multiple advantages conferred by his vantage position as Buhari’s deputy, Osinbajo’s imminent victory is largely the product of his intrinsic personal leadership attributes. His preparations as an outstanding attorney, distinguished intellectual and experienced public officer have been noted  by many observers. Hardly have we had such sterling combination in previous presidential contests.

Osinbajo brought to his presidential aspiration a certain structured approached. He operated an informed organisation driven by knowledge, up to date data on key national challenges and cutting edge methods. Osinbajo’s team of young modern and IT savvy staffers worked extremely hard from a position of knowledge of all nooks of the country. They know every ward, village and local government.

In his consultation tours of the country, Yemi Osinbajo once again showed his detribalized essence. He cross crossed the nation and wherever he went , he was warmly received as an all -Nigerian hero. His various engagements on national issues showed the same even handed knowledgeable slant that have since marked him out as an uncommon leader. In every way , he stepped forward to address the most urgent needs of Nigerians.

Within his ruling party, Osinbajo has stood out. He has previewed  a non disruptive sense of continuity and yet a decisive departure from the less acceptable aspects of the Buhari legacy. Yet he has indicated an unmistakable sense of direction away from the current challenges bedeviling the nation.

From his fellow south west counterpart and former boss, Bola Tinubu, he stands out as a less egregious and more moderating leader. In contrast to the more impulsive and temperamental former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, Osinbajo is a more measured , sedate, more calculated and systematic leader. In contrast with the Senate President whose presidential aspiration is more of a regional afterthought, Osinbajo represents no faction, no sect and no region in a political terrain steeped in divisive theologies.

At this stage, Osinbajo stands up close to emerging as the candidate of the APC. As we stand literally at the finishing line of the party primaries,  the APC is faced with a choice that ought to be clear and obvious. For the first time, a party is blessed to have an aspirant who has not only the on the job experience but also the combined attributes that the nation needs at this difficult moment.  It is clearly Osinbajo’s hour.

Wonodi wrote from Yenegoa, Bayelsa State