• Describes Osinbajo as ‘primus inter pares,’ who deserves APC’s and everyone’s support for 2023 Presidency
“…had it been it was in advanced countries, in all of the APC, nobody would run (for President), they would all just support you (Osinbajo).”
— Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi
By Seyi Gesinde
It is worth noting the words of a prominent monarch in Nigeria’s South-West, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, when he described Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as ‘primus inter pares,’ the best among equals, the most distinguished out of his contemporaries, someone who no one in his All Progressives Party (APC) should be contesting the presidential office with, provided that other factors or circumstances remain the same.
The revered royal father had lauded Prof Osinbajo’s loyalty in governance and for his outstanding performance in his current office when the Vice President visited him in his palace on Monday, April 25, 2022, as part of the activities marking his tour of states to meet with APC delegates and political stakeholders ahead of the party’s primary elections.
Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi, as he offered his royal blessing for VP Osinbajo to actualise his 2023 presidential dream, noted that “had it been it was in advanced countries, in all of the APC, nobody would run (for President), they would all just support you.”
That would have been an ideal situation, but the concern of the respected monarch is the fact that the Nigerian politics is not yet developed as what is obtainable in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Israel or China.
Hence, it suffices to say that Nigeria is not as advanced as these top democracies yet, where such an exalted presidential office meant to be occupied by the best brain would have been reserved for the person of Vice President Osinbajo, as his party, the APC is about to select its standard-bearer come May 30 and 31 2022.
As it is for Deji of Akure, so it is a compound concern for all lovers of good governance in Nigeria, those who prefer excellence above mediocrity, knowing Prof Osinbajo is the best man for the job. But since he has no special power or supremacy over his rivals and challengers in the party to choose himself, we will continually honour his sagacity and respect his profound decision to run for the Presidency as the ‘primus inter pares,’ while reminding the APC hierarchy and those that matter in the selection of the party’s candidate for the 2023 elections that Osinbajo is the people’s mandate for the birthing and actualization of the Nigeria Dream.
The reasons are not far-fetched, even, without being immodest, Vice President Osinbajo speaking about his seven-year experience in Akure, noted that it will be a great injustice if he refused the call of Nigerians and decided not to contest the national polls with the vast experience he had garnered. He told a gathering in Ondo State with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu Ondo State as his host.
Vice President Osinbajo as a loyal subordinate has not stopped attributing all the successes recorded thus far in office to the exemplary leadership style of his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he lauded as being open-minded in delegating to him serious tasks that had aided his experience.
Acknowledging the fact that it is only God that can put people in power, another sign of his humble nature, Prof Osinbajo said it would be a betrayal of his country for him to retire with all his exposure in government, which is true. Why does God deposit potential in humans and creates leadership opportunities? It is for them to fulfil particular purposes, which ultimately is to preserve our world and make life comfortable for the generality of the people.
“It is such a special privilege to be called to serve, it is a very special privilege to serve either as exco, house of assembly, even as NWC (National Working Committee) member. I am sure that everybody knows that I have formally declared my intention to run as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I did so on Monday, April 11th, 2022 and I did so because, first of all, there is nobody that can be anything God does not decide that he would be, only God can make a person president, vice president, governor, anything whatsoever.
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“So, I believe the hand of God must be on anything we are doing, but I declared my intention based on first, the fact that I have served, again by the sheer grace of God, I have served for seven years. President Muhammadu Buhari, just out of his open-mindedness and his generosity ensured that I was given very serious responsibilities as Vice President and I also acted as President.
“In those capacities, I got to know so many things that most people will never come across, even people in government will never come across and I gained a lot of experience on that account. Many times, the President, when he was away, said pointedly to me that look, I don’t want to fetter your discretion in any way, as acting president, you are president, just make sure you are fair and just, don’t refer anything to me, don’t ask me any questions, just do whatever you need to do.
“I think It will be a betrayal to our country, to our nation, this is a nation that many people died for, people died for this country, if I with all that has been given to me by the grace of God, retire quietly either to Lagos or Ikenne and go and be writing my memoirs. It will be a great injustice to our country, that is why I throw my hat in the ring and ensure I make the best case for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Vice President Osinbajo said.
What is there to add again? Nothing! Vice President Osinbajo is eminently qualified to be President — he is the most suitable for the job, being the only one of all the gladiators around to mount that seat as an acting President and reigned successfully on three occasions, the first time a VP would attain that role under this over 22-year dispensation. President Buhari is a leader, and he is lauded for being a large-hearted mentor.
Reflecting on Deji of Akure’s verdict again “…had it been it was in advanced countries, in all of the APC, nobody would run (for President), they would all just support you (Osinbajo),” we rest the hope on this, believing that the APC hierarchies will do the needful in making Osinbajo emerge the party’s standard-bearer, on whichever model of choice it decides on, whether through direct or indirect primaries or as a consensus candidate. Nigerians are waiting.
• Gesinde is a political scientist, public analyst and digital marketer.
