2023: Time For Nigerians To Decide Type Of Leadership They Want – VP Osinbajo Says 

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that as Nigerians approach the coming elections, it is time to also reflect on the type of leadership that they want for the country.

Prof. Osinbajo, who stated this at the palace of the Deji of Akure, Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, while on a visit to Ondo State, said that as Vice President and at some point, Acting President coupled with the invaluable experience he acquired over the past seven years, is like training to become President.

He therefore said that it would be a disservice to the nation on his part not to utilize the wealth of experience he has garnered over the years to further serve the nation in the highest capacity.

This was as the monarch prayed for the Vice President’s success in attaining his objective, saying that had it been in advanced countries, nobody in all of the APC would run for president as they would all just support Prof Osinbajo.

Speaking on the motivation to run for the office of the President, Osinbajo said; “I have served for the past seven years as the Vice President of Nigeria, and I have also acted within that period when the President was away. I think that I am fortunate, and we are fortunate to have been given tremendous opportunities to serve, also even when I acted as President.

According to Osinbajo; “In that capacity, I am probably the only person trained to be (in that duration), because if you have been a Vice President and also as Acting President, then you have been trained, and I must say with utmost humility – that that is exactly how I feel.

“I feel that with what God has given me within the past seven and half years, I must be able to give to my country. People die for this country every day; there are young men and women, soldiers who die for this country every day. That is the greatest act of loyalty that one can have for one’s country.

“Those of us whom God has given some opportunities to serve must be prepared to offer that service whenever we are called upon to do so.

“Which is why I declared my intention to run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I want to say that I am grateful to God; and I am grateful to you for all your support, advice and counselling in the past,” Osinbajo said.

The vice president spoke earlier during a meeting with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, members of the State House of Assembly, State Executive Council members and the APC leaders in the State.

Osinbajo noted that he was privileged to serve in different capacities, and undertake major responsibilities as Vice President and Acting President because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s generosity and open-mindedness towards him.

He further said; “In those capacities as VP and acting president, in particular, I got to know so many things that many people would never have come across, and I gained a lot of experience on that account. Now, the opportunity has come.

“With the experience I have, the contacts and connections that I have made, locally and internationally, I think that it would be a betrayal to our country, to our nation, not to accept to serve the country.

“If with all that has been given to me by the grace of God, with all of my experiences, to say that, oh, I will now retire quietly either to Lagos or Ikenne, and go and be writing my memoirs; it would be a grave injustice to our country.

“That is why I decided to pour my heart into it and ensure that I make up this case for the position of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I believe that with God helping, if God gives us the opportunity, and the will of the people also, God will make it happen; I will have the opportunity to give this nation the very best that I can give, with all of our hearts, in everything that we can, with sincerity, openness and transparency. That is the desire of my heart.”

Welcoming Vice President Osinbajo, Governor Akeredolu recalled that the emergence of Mr Osinbajo in 2014 as APC vice-presidential candidate was purely a divine thing, adding that it is God who ultimately decides who gets what position.

Akeredolu said that the Vice President and himself had been friends and colleagues for a long while before politics.

At the palace, the Deji of Akure, Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, extolled the qualities of the VP noting that “we love you and appreciate you and whatever you do, we support you”.

“In whatever you do, we wish you good luck. God will continue to strengthen you; your going and coming would be by the mercy of God. We appreciate you for coming,” he said.

While in the state, the vice president also paid a visit to one of Afenifere’s respected leaders, Reuben Fasoranti, where he received the blessings of the revered Yoruba leader for his aspiration to become President of Nigeria.

Fasoranti said; “I wish the project a success, as you go about, may you continue to find favour with people and, at the end of the day, we shall say, congratulations.”

The VP thanked the Yoruba leader for his contributions to the development of the country, saying; “your counsel and guidance have always been extremely useful and treasured by all of us. Those of us in politics, and government particularly, find your counsel very useful; and we know you have a heart, not just for the Yorubas or the citizens of Ondo State, but for our whole country”.