By Seyi Gesinde
Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has felicitated his principal whom he served Nigeria with, former President Muhammadu Buhari, on his 81st birthday.
Buhari and Osinbajo assumed power on May 29, 2015, and they concluded their two terms of eight years on May 29, 2023.
Within these periods, the twosome was at many times described by stakeholders and many Nigerians as the best men in power, who jointly directed the affairs of Nigeria seamlessly with no interpersonal acrimony, unlike their predecessors.
The same attitude of good feelings towards each other manifested in the early Sunday morning of December 17, 2023, marking the day Buhari was born in Daura, Nigeria’s northwestern town located today in Katsina State, with Prof. Osinbajo, celebrating his former boss on his social media handles, as he specifically prayed God to grant him longer life, good health, peace and joy.
His post fully read: “Happy 81st Birthday Your Excellency @muhammadubuhari !!!
May God grant you even longer life, good health, peace and joy in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.”
This has been his cheery attitude in past years towards a partner in progress with whom Osinbajo has enjoyed good companionship as a friend.
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A year ago, celebrating his boss, Osinbajo described Buhari as a complete statesman, saying, “Your extraordinary life of unblemished service to the nation in the army, as a Governor, Minister, Military Head of State and as a two-term civilian President demonstrates that it is possible to serve the nation and our people honestly forthrightly and selflessly.”
This year’s supplication to God on behalf of his former boss, a former Civilian President and Army General, who had seen in all in service, beseeching the Almighty to let him enjoy the fruits of his labour with a longer life in good health, peace and joy, even with no official bond to prompt such benevolence, further confirms Osinbajo as a good jolly fellow with a kind-hearted soul.
Similarly, establishing their rare friendliness with openness and aboveboard in exchanging views, one can remember President Buhari saying he was proud to have selected VP Osinbajo as his running mate.
This was how he put it: “I’m proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate. He has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015.” Taking note of his words, the President took responsibility for his deputy’s choice, confirming he found the right man.
He went further to say that “Osinbajo is not only admirably competent but also exudes confidence and passion in the performance of his job. According to him, Buhari presented his VP as an incredibly patient politician who places Nigeria first, and confidently introduced him as someone who “demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties”
In short, Buhari and Osibajo are exemplary patriots!
Those are the right words Osinbajo chose, no need to add more — Amen to Prof’s prayers.
Happy birthday to Buhari, Nigeria’s unmistakable anti-corruption czar!
