Osinbajo To Challenge Tinubu For APC Ticket As Vice President Informs Buhari Of Presidential Ambition
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has finally informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition.
According to Daily Trust, Osinbajo told the president of his desire to take over from him at the expiration of his tenure in 2023.
With the intent, which has not been made public, the vice president will fight for the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu had a few months ago informed Buhari of his intention to also contest for President in 2023.
Osinbajo served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 when Tinubu was the governor.
There are reports that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele and the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi are also interested in joining the race.
Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige had also expressed interest in joining the race.
Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzo Kalu, and Senator Rochas Okorocha have all declared their interest in the presidency on the platform of the APC amid speculations that some aspirants from the North would soon join the race.
“Certainly, VP Osinbajo has told the president that he wants to succeed him,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying.
“The vice president had first consulted some prominent Nigerians who encouraged him to vie for the presidency and 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.”
Another source said when Osinbajo approached the president with the story, Buhari was not surprised.
“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 national television,” the source was quoted as saying.
Though Osinbajo has yet to openly declare his intention to run for President in 2023, many support groups and individuals, believed to be sponsored, have been rooting for him.
Some of them have been campaigning for Osinbajo, urging him to contest
