By Ifedayo Peters
The die is cast. The APC Presidential nomination forms are available and party primaries are only a few weeks away. There is no time for handholding, aspirants and their mini-campaign teams are scheming at a breakneck pace. All eyes are on the grand prize.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) national party leader and political giant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Governor Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Rivers State and serving Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige are some of the contenders for the much-coveted party ticket currently valued at sweat, blood and a 100 million Naira.
Of all aspirants, however, the spotlight seems to fall on one man, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose entry only two weeks ago has not only ruffled feathers intra-party but has also caused the rank and file of opposition parties to sit tight and call for restrategising.
Before his declaration, I recall vividly members of the opposition stating unequivocally that should the APC field a candidate other than Prof. Osinbajo, theirs would be an unprecedented landslide victory. In fact, a tweet from a known member of the PDP - whom for many reasons I will not name - asserted that “the election would be over before 10 am.” Independent support groups sprouting in their numbers calling on the legal luminary to throw his hat in the ring; Nigerian businessmen taking initiative and installing giant billboards with the bold inscription “Businessmen For Osinbajo - Let’s get to work” all over the city of Abuja.
While some argue that he has no business joining the race, others view his declaration as to the much-awaited answer to many months of impatient calls by impassioned Nigerians, who even went as far as threatening a lawsuit against him should he continue to ignore.
Vice-Chancellor of the Al-Kalam University, Prof. Nasiru Musa Yauri, a Muslim conservative who is not known to weigh in on political issues was recently captured saying, “We have decided we will not fold our arms; we will do whatever it takes to actualise the PYO project.”
Besides his increasingly daunting popularity, Prof. Osinbajo seems to enjoy a remarkable level of goodwill, even from the political elites who may not readily agree with his political affiliation or orientation. This is perhaps because he is also known to address crucial matters from a perfectly neutral and unprejudiced vantage point, notably, in the conflict resolution duties he has either taken up of his own volition, or that which President Buhari has repeatedly assigned him. An essential leadership attribute which earned him the moniker “The Fixer” amongst political associates and supporters a few years ago.
“Governors never had cause to be known by party lines (at NEC) because the VP provides quality leadership and encourages freedom of expression. He has accommodated every comment and contribution made in the past four years.” Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel of the PDP noted at a state function in 2019.
Recall the vital role he played in dousing the tension between Southwest Governors and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over the legality of the creation of Amotekun, a regional security outfit. What was fast becoming a nasty back and forth between the five governors involved and the legal custodian of the nation, quickly became a nonissue at a roundtable in the Vice Presidential wing with all stakeholders smiling thereafter, evidently satisfied with Osinbajo’s input on the matter.
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The VP, who to all appearances is not given to grandstanding or political gimmicks considered essential starter packs in modern politics (which often results in the underreporting of his numerous progressive ventures and sometimes ultimately playing to his disadvantage) also consolidated the Niger Delta amnesty programme set off by the Late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s administration; an intervention that saw brute militants drop arms and embrace peace. On a working visit to the region as Acting President, Osinbajo gave a moving speech uncharacteristic of the arrogance of past presidencies, identifying with the people of Niger Delta and bemoaning the deplorable state of the oil-rich region. A visit many will agree finally laid to rest possibilities of the reemergence of the deadly militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, due to neglect and failed promises made by the previous administration. An August 2018 Business Day publication titled “From Militancy to Entrepreneurship: The Story of Retson Tedheke” perfectly details widely feared ex-militant turned millionaire farmer, Retson Tedheke, and his climb from the creeks to agricultural prominence. Retson is known to frequently recount and praise the Vice President’s contribution not only towards lasting peace in the Niger Delta, but also his exemplary oversight duty of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) a presidential initiative facilitating the growth of micro, small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria.
On the 6th of August, 2021, I watched with keen interest as renowned former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) in an Arise TV interview reeled out what attributes Nigerians should look out for in choosing the most appropriate captain to steer its ship in 2023.
In his words, “A person who travels in this country and has a friend virtually everywhere he travels; leadership that links with the people, that tries to talk with the people, not talk on top of the people. I have seen one or two already.” He added that this candidate should be in their 60s.
Without equivocating, my mind suggested Osinbajo, and I am yet to see another aspirant amongst all who have declared, who best fits IBB’s description. As if clearing all doubts, in the December of the same year, the former Head of State said in a separate interview with Channels TV where the upcoming presidential election took centre stage, “Osinbajo is a good man who has conviction about Nigeria.” Note that the Vice President had not even breathed a word about his interest in the race for the 2023 presidency.
It is not in doubt, Prof Osinbajo’s commitment, dedication and loyalty to the nation and has on many occasions demonstrated it. As Acting President in 2017, not only did he hold the fort for ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, he took bold, corrective measures that were rumoured to rile Nigeria’s oligarchs commonly referred to as the ‘cabal’. One such decision was the termination of the appointment of former DSS DG, Lawan Daura, after the DSS laid siege to the National Assembly for several hours, preventing lawmakers from accessing the NASS complex. The sack of NCAA directors also made the headlines after Osinbajo paid an unannounced visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where he was reported to have harshly condemned the deplorable state of the facility. In his short stint representing the number one man, he also beseeched the CBN to review its forex policy, a move which favoured the Naira causing the dollar rate to tumble in the parallel market. Such is his awareness and familiarity with crucial issues plaguing the country.
Consider the case of an attentive protege who has adequately intimated himself with the system for seven years and an aspirant who watched from the far-flung corners of the centre, who is best suited to succeed the master? Which side do we trust to benchmark or consolidate his policies? Suffice it to say that canvassing support for any other than Osinbajo to clinch the APC presidential ticket at this time, is bereft of logic.
It is important to note that in the democratic history of Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo is the only Vice President whose principal has graciously transmitted power to and given free rein on more than two occasions.
“I am proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate, he has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015.” President Buhari gushed over his deputy on the occasion of his 64th birthday.
“When you VP Osinbajo talks about loyalty and trustworthiness among the political class, you stand as an example worthy of note. I wish that you carry on with this level of trustworthiness and continue to uphold the confidence that our son has in you. I can assure you that our son has enormous trust in you, continue to justify that confidence he reposed in you,” the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar, told the VP during a courtesy visit he paid the traditional ruler while on a work trip to Katsina.
Senator Rochas Okorocha, then Governor of Imo State in 2013 had this to say about the Vice President: “He is a patriotic Nigerian who smiles over issues one expects to react negatively. The humility he displays is very rare, there is a great difference between the NEC of the past and the NEC under VP Osinbajo’s leadership. NEC became a family under him.”
Yemi Osinbajo is vastly knowledgeable, widely accepted, speaks very fluently the language of unity and appears to have a friend in every community. Who best to unite all warring factions of the APC and hold back the dark cloud of secession hanging over Nigeria?
• Ifedayo Peters writes from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
