After months of speculations and consultations, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday finally threw his hat into the ring of contenders for President Muhammadu Buhari’s seat in 2003. The party’s primary election is scheduled for May.
At a dinner he hosted at the Presidential Villa for the breaking of Ramadan fast (Iftar), the vice president told his guests, 12 governors of APC states and a couple of other party big wigs, of his plan to succeed his boss in 2003.
Some of the governors present include: Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
“The VP invited all the governors to the meeting and has informed them of his plan to contest. He is also seeking their support ahead of the primary. Of course, the Vice-President has also informed President Buhari of his intention to contest. He will be formally announcing his candidacy on Monday (today),” said a top source.
Already, Osinbajo support groups have opened a campaign and strategy office for him in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja.
Excerpts from his declaration speech read as follows:
“I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of APC.
“At the direction of Mr. President, I have represented our country in several international engagements. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have visited our gallant troops in the North-East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. 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.”
