By Oluwafemi Popoola
The 2023 presidential bid of Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Thursday, May 5, 2022, got another huge boost as the Cross River Traditional Rulers’ Council in Calabar threw its weight behind him, saying Nigeria needs a credible leader like Osinbajo to lead the country in 2023, just as the Council said it was excited about learning the Vice President would be running for the Office of the President in 2023.
The Vice President, Prof Osinbajo, SAN, visited the state as part of his all-around consultations to meet with the state party delegates and critical stakeholders ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections on May 30 and 31, 2022, preparatory to the 2023 presidential race.
Speaking, the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu IV, corroborated the Council’s decision, commended the Vice President for his seven-year experience under the President Buhari-led administration, said Prof Osinbajo has what it takes to govern Nigeria successfully.
He said: “We have taken note of your remarkable administrative display to the people, we appreciate you and we are happy that somebody like you is gearing up to take up the mantle of leadership in this country.
His words: “Your Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Your Excellency the Governor of Cross River State, and his deputy all others that are in the entourage, Your Excellency, permit me to observe the existing protocol because if we start picking on it we will spend some time and your schedule is short.
“It is a great delight that this is happening today for somebody like you standing up to take up the challenge of leading this country. Once again we don’t expect less of what we should expect in this country you have said it all, you have had the experience you are exposed and I think just like the chairman of this council, we have taken note of your remarkable administrative display to the people we appreciate you and we are happy that somebody like you is coming up to take up the mantle of leadership in this country.
ALSO READ: Osinbajo picks APC presidential forms amid donations from Nigerians, support groups
“We don’t need to be saying most of these things now when the time comes all we are praying for is that you pick up the ticket, get the mandate then most people will show their support and then we will put up so many things that you expect as a leader who will lead this country because you have known it all, you have been there you have the experiences,” Obong of Calabar said.
Also, the Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, declaring the decision of the Council to support Osinbajo’s presidential ambition at the Council’s Chambers in Calabar, the state capital, where he received the Vice President, said Nigerians need a credible leader to lead the country in 2023.
“All our challenges are not something we can surmount in one day the key is that it is surmountable, all we need is a credible leader that is what we want in this country because with a credible leader, a man of integrity and others, definitely he can gather his people together and make sure that these problems are taken care of,” Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, said.
