By Emma Ogbuehi
Against the backdrop of suspected subtle rivalry between the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, over the 2023 presidency, the Office of the Vice President, has dismissed any agenda at power contestation between the two.
The clarification was made by the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Office of the Vice President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in a statement titled,
“No to divisive politics, attempts to foist a crack between Osinbajo, Tinubu will fail”. The reaction was in response to a Lagos television programme featuring guests arguing for Osinbajo and Tinubu. A daily newspaper had also carried a banner headline; “2023 Presidency: Osinbajo on a collision course with Tinubu, pushes to succeed Buhari”
Ojudu faulted the two media outings stressing, “Neither the Vice President nor his office is aware of this or endorse this kind of a divisive engagement and news reports. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are members of same party. Osinbajo regards Tinubu as a respected leader of a political family to which he belongs and will therefore not for any reason endorse an endeavor that seeks to pitch them against each other”.
He blamed the media reports on some people who may want to foist a crack between the two leaders, insisting that such an attempt is abortive. According to the Vice President’s Office, Osinbajo and Tinubu’s relationship dates way back and shall continue to wax strong.
Ojudu called on individuals and media houses engaged in this act to desist from doing so. “The APC remains one single, indivisible party and Osinbajo remains a loyal member of the party who respects both the party structure as well as its leadership”, he stated.
He recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given a go ahead yet for politicking towards 2023, adding that as a law abiding citizen, Osinbajo will not commence any act in this regard until INEC blows the whistle. The VP has not indicated interest in the 2023 elections, the statement added.
He pleaded with individuals and groups clamoring for the Vice President to contest, not to draw him or allow themselves into an unnecessary and precipitous controversy.
