By Oluwafemi Popoola
A cross-section of Nigerians have expressed high hopes towards the country’s 2023 election year, following an exclusive report published by a Nigerian newspaper alleging the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition to succeed him.
Millions of Nigerians, who had earnestly requested for Vice President Osinbajo’s leadership over time, while repeatedly urging him through public campaigns and other means to contest the 2023 presidential election, and had waited unabatedly, positively received the story which changed the mood of the nation, as it broke out Monday morning.
The publication headlined: “EXCLUSIVE: Osinbajo Notifies Buhari Of Presidential Ambition,” which took over the webspace, generated a lot of reactions, as it went viral with other major news media and blogs replicating the story, as published by Daily Trust, a national newspaper based in northern Nigeria.
In the media reports that have traversed the social media space, it was stated that Osinbajo had hinted to the President of his desire to take over from him when his tenure expires in 2023 in a bid to consolidate the achievements they recorded since they took over from the opposition PDP in 2015.
Quoting several sources in the reports, Osinbajo was said to have decided to go head-to-head with the former Lagos state governor and his former principal, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had earlier declared his interest for a presidential run and others for the ruling All Progressives Party Congress (APC) ticket.
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“The projection in certain quarters that the VP will not contest against Tinubu is now over. The two of them who are from the South-West would confront each other.
“They both have their support bases but Tinubu, of course, is more of a politician than Osinbajo. He has more support base across the country but that notwithstanding, the truth is that whoever the President supports would surely have an upper hand,” the report said quoting an unnamed source.
Similarly, the VP was also rumoured to have shelved an agreed meeting with APC state chairmen which was scheduled to take place on Monday night, 14th March 2022, but has now been cancelled following a directive from the villa.
The meeting according to the media reports was planned ahead of Osinbajo’s formal declaration for the Presidency, which would have put paid to all speculations around his presidential ambition.
Reacting to this development on social media, a Nigerian responder on Twitter said, “I’m really looking forward to the 2023 election.
In short, this time around, I will be fully involved. Osinbajo will be my candidate if he runs.”
Others, who also saluted Osinbajo’s commitment to the service of the nation, his loyalty to his boss and his integrity in office, said he is the best choice for the country, noting that the Vice President has every right to contest and it will be good news for many Nigerians to have him officially declared.
A responder who commented via @McEnwere in a tweet said: “Better! Of all the APC presidential aspirants, Osibanjo is more marketable and more credible than the rest. He will give Nigeria a better outlook. Tinubu is going about it as if it’s his entitlement.”
Better! Of all the APC presidential aspirants, Osibanjo is more marketable and more credible than the rest. He will give Nigeria a better outlook. Tinubu is going about it as if it's his entitlement.
— EnwereMC (@McEnwere) March 14, 2022
Another who tweeted from his Twitter handle @AlagiJoseph said he would only be politically involved if the VP declares to run. “I’m really looking forward to the 2023 election. In short, this time around, I will be fully involved. Osinbajo will be my candidate if he runs.”
I'm really looking forward to the 2023 election.
In short, this time around, I will be fully involved.
Osinbajo will be my candidate if he runs.— Anunnaki The Technologist 💻🔬 (@AlagiJoseph) March 14, 2022
Another Twitter user, @KingdomOgor tweeted, “I’m delighted Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo notified President Muhammadu Buhari of his Presidential ambition before any form of declaration. It’s what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should have done in 2007. It clearly shows the respect the latter has for the office of the President”.
I’m delighted Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo notified President Muhammadu Buhari of his Presidential ambition before any form of declaration. It’s what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should have done in 2007. It clearly shows the respect the latter has for the office of the President
— Kingdom (@KingdomOgor) March 14, 2022
Another comment via @AyoBankole said, “Just so we are clear, I’ll rather vote Professor Yemi Osinbajo 25 times before I vote for a Bola Tinubu or Atiku Abubakar.”
Just so we are clear, I’ll rather vote Professor Yemi Osinbajo 25 times before I vote for a Bola Tinubu or Atiku Abubakar.
— Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè (@AyoBankole) March 14, 2022
“Sir @ProfOsinbajo should we Trek 🚶 to Anj for d flag off or join 🚴 cause we very ready for these and pls 🙏🙏🙏 let @ProfZulum be Ur running mate our country 🇳🇬 would be great and pleased with U both”, one Twitter user called Abu ummitah&Abeedah wrote
Sir @ProfOsinbajo should we Trek 🚶 to Anj for d flag off or join 🚴 cause we very ready for these and pls 🙏🙏🙏 let @ProfZulum be Ur running mate our country 🇳🇬 would be great and pleased with U both
— Abu ummitah&Abeedah (@Abuummitah) March 14, 2022
“Buhari would prefer to endorse an Osinbajo than Tinubu. More of his survival in the office can be credited to Osinbajo than Tinubu.”, Chinwe Maduka Henry reacted.
Buhari would prefer to endorse an Osinbajo than Tinubu. More of his survival in office can be credited to Osinbajo than Tinubu.
— Chinwe Maduka Henry (@chinwe_maduka) March 14, 2022
