BY GODWIN OBI
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday formally declared his intention to run for President in 2023.
“I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” he said in a video obtained by our reporters
His declaration ends months of speculation over his interest in the 2023 presidential race and widens the pool of candidates for the position.
It also puts him in direct confrontation with his former boss in Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who signalled his intention earlier in the year.
In his declaration speech, Osinbajo said he was committed to continuing President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the country.
“If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started, radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture,” he said, “completing the reforms of our justice system; focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observants of the rule of law; rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways, and broadband connectivity, providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive, taking the agriculture revolution to the next level, especially mechanisation and developing the farm-to-table value chain; making sure that the government, its agencies, and regulators, serve the business community, creating a tech economy that will provide jobs for millions of young Nigerians; enhancing our social investment programme, to a full-scale social welfare program.”
‘Move with much speed’
The Vice President said he would also complete President Buhari’s promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.
He vowed to reform the educational system for relevance in the 21st century and ensure universal health coverage for all while strengthening the capacity of states and local governments to deliver on their respective mandates.
“Above all, front and centre of our efforts will be the provision of jobs and opportunities for our young people,” he said.
“I now must solemnly and respectfully seek the support of fellow Nigerians everywhere in this land and the Diaspora, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey that we have ahead of us, seek your own support. We will, working together, establish by the grace of God, the Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors; we will need to move with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation.
“I am convinced beyond doubt we have the creativity, the courage, the talent, and the resources to be the foremost black nation on earth.
“Let us build a Nigeria where the man of Nnewi sees the man in Gusau as his brother, where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister, where the love of our nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls, from Gboko to Yenagoa, where everywhere in this land is home for everyone, where our diversities, our tribes, our faiths unite us rather than divide us. Let our tribe become one tribe, the Nigerian tribe, where all are treated fairly, justly, and with respect, where all her given equal access to the abundant opportunities that God has bestowed on this nation.”
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu, had met with some governors of the ruling party at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja on Monday.
The meeting was held hours after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo officially declared his intention to vie for the presidential seat in the 2023 elections.
READ ALSO: Why I Am Running For President – Osinbajo (Full Text)
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Gboyega Akosile, shared photos of the governors and the APC chieftain’s meeting on his official Twitter handle.https://platform.twitter.com
“Breaking: frontline presidential aspirant of @OfficialAPCNg, @officialABAT
this morning held a crucial meeting with APC Governors in Abuja,” he wrote alongside the photos. “17 APC Governors attended the meeting called this morning. ”
‘No Son Grown Enough’
Monday’s meeting followed a similar one Osinbajo held with the governors at his Aguda House residence on Sunday evening.
The former Lagos Governor, who also reacted to Osinbajo’s declaration, said he met the governors to collaborate on his 2023 ambition.
“I don’t have any son grown enough to make such declaration,” Tinubu replied when asked about Osinbajo’s move.
“My mission here is to seek collaboration, support, and encouragement of my party, the APC, for my ambition to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a replacement for President Muhammadu Buhari after his tenure,” he added.
The Kebbi State Governor and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu, also refuted claims that Osinbajo’s declaration pits him with his political godson.
According to him, the development shows the quality of persons in the ruling APC.
“The fact that we have people in our party that express desire to lead the party into the highest office in electoral contest shows how much this our party has resonated with Nigerians and our party members,” the governor said.
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