2023: Osinbajo Finally Joins Presidential Race  

• To build on the foundation laid by predecessors

BY EDMOND ODOK – The popular phrase, the more the merrier is obviously playing out in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has finally declared his interest in the 2023 presidential race.

Coming months after heightened speculations; high-tensioned politicking and crisscrossing the country to engage with prominent stakeholders, including traditional rulers, Professor Osinbajo could no longer hold back declaring his intention in a video posted on his Twitter handle on Monday.

So far, gracing the growing list of aspirants for the APC presidential ticket are National Leader of APC and former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu; Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello; Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi; former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Ameachi among others.

In his declaration speech to take on all contenders for the APC presidential slot, Vice President Osinbajo said; “In the past seven years, I have served as Vice President under a true Nigerian patriot, a servant of the nation in war and peace, and a man of integrity, President Muhammadu Buhari.

”We have, together, worked through some of the most difficult times in the history of our Nation, but we have remained focused on securing the country, providing infrastructure and growing our economy”.

According to him, it has been seven eventful years of service to our dear country, Nigeria in several capacities, and under the direction of Mr President has represented Nigeria in sensitive high-level international engagements.

“I have been to practically all local governments in Nigeria. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have been in agricultural, mining and oil-producing communities; in the Delta, in Kebbi, Enugu, Borno; Rivers, Plateau and Ondo; and in all other states of the federation, listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people.

”I have visited our gallant troops in the North East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I have felt the pain and anguish of victims in violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, flooding, fire and other disasters.

”I have been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country. I have sat with our technopreneurs in Lagos, Edo, and Kaduna, with our Nollywood and Kannywood actors; with our musicians, from Lagos, Onitsha, and Kano. And I have spoken to small and large businesses.

”I stood where they stood and sat where they sat. I know their hopes, aspirations and fears; and I believe that those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.

”I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great peoples.

”Which is why I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.

”If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started; radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture, completing the reform of our justice system focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel.”

In solemnly and respectfully seeking the “support of fellow Nigerians everywhere, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey ahead”, Prof Osinbajo further said; ”We will work together by the grace of God. The Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors. We will need to move, with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance, towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation.

”I am convinced beyond doubt that we have the creativity, the courage, the talent, and the resources to be the foremost black nation on earth. Let us now birth the expectations of greatness conceived generations before us.

”Let us build a Nigeria where the man from Nnewi sees the man in Gusau as his brother, where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister, where the love of our nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls from Gboko to Yenogoa.

”Where everywhere, in this land, is home for everyone, where our diversities, tribes, and faiths unite, rather than divide us. Let our tribes become one tribe; the Nigerian tribe, where all are treated fairly, justly, and with respect–where all are given equal access to the abundant opportunities that God has bestowed on this nation. It’s time.

”God bless and keep our Republic and its great people.’’ – With additional NAN reports