Arewa Youths say Osinbajo is the most qualified to succeed Buhari
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor ….”
That was not the only thing Muhammadu Buhari said at his meeting with All Progressive Congress (APC) Governors on Tuesday but supporters of Yemi Osinbajo see it as the most repeated part of the entire speech when paraphrased.
The Coalition of Arewa Youth and Women for PYO 2023 (CAYW) say the President was simply picking out his Vice President to succeed him.
“It’s not a coincidence, but a divine voice guiding the President to stir in the right direction and hand over the mantle of leadership to the best man for the job,” CAYW spokesperson Mohammed Lawal said in a statement.
An abridged version of the statement is produced below, with subheadings added to guide comprehension.
Out of many, one
“Although there are so many presidential aspirants, but only one of them is standing taller, higher, more competent, accepted, tested and trusted.
“A man who has been President in an acting capacity, a professor of law, an investment Ceasar and an exceptional political breed of his rare kind, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo …
“For record purposes, below are a few reasons why … Osinbajo is a favourite in line of aspirants to succeed … Buhari.
“His previous antecedents that say much about him, record-breaking performances that have earned him nothing other than an un-adulterated respect, love, reverence and admiration by the people.
“Across Nigeria, from North to South, East to West, you find … Osinbajo with the Muslims and Christians, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Igede, Idoma, Ibibio, Ekwere, Ishekiri and others for unity, peace and development to prevail in Nigeria.
“He is a detribalised Nigerian, a man who is only defined by his humanity, philanthropy and respect for all irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliation, indeed, a symbol of national unity. A leader with impeccable qualities of leadership, one of the best and rare politicians of our time.
“This intelligent pillar of hope, vibrant, discipline leader and bulldozer of work has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.”
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Competence in economic management
“By far … Osinbajo is the most active, initiative, and intelligent Vice President Nigeria has ever produced, the statement added, according to Vanguard reporting.
“This is evident in the initiation and sustenance of the largest social investment programmes in Africa, which comprises the N-Power Programme, currently employing 500,000 graduates; the GEEP loans (Market Moni, FarmerMoni and Trader Moni), providing credit to over 3 million Nigerian traders, artisans and businessmen; the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, amongst others.
“The Economic Sustainability Plan is also one of his initiatives that is creating room for millions of Nigerians to benefit from several packages like MSME Survival Fund, Youth Fund, Mass Housing Programmes, Farmers Fund, Teachers’ Welfare Scheme, and the like.
“About 250,000 jobs will be created from the Vice President’s initiative, the Solar Power Strategy, the Mass Housing Program that is targeting the creation of over 1,500, 000 jobs is also credited to the Vice President ….
“Osinbajo has also used his office as the Vice President to add to the economic strength of Nigeria by inviting foreign investors who saw and believed in the potentials of Nigeria to come and invest.
“These and many other initiatives of his have helped in stablising and boosting the economy, contributing greatly to the reduction of poverty and creation of more jobs for our teeming youths.
Performance as acting President
“Also, as the Vice President, he has always been key to the success of this regime, and that of Nigeria, and due to his wealth of experience, strategy and political mastery, President Muhammadu Buhari left him in charge as the acting President of Nigeria when he travelled in 2017 & 2018.
“A task he carried out so well, diligently and efficiently enough to assure Nigerians that the President left the country in good hands.
“As acting President, he sacked the then DSS DG Lawal Daura. [He] sacked all the directors in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
“Completely overhauling SARS, relocation of service chiefs to Borno State and signing of the Executive Order of Ease of Doing Business are some of his achievements as acting President within the shortest possible time.
“With such unbeatable track record of this distinguished Pan-Nigerian of our time, a symbol of national unity, a true federalist, full of integrity, active and smart, whose foresight is really worthy of saluting and emulating, we are left with no option but to share this with Nigerians as the reasons why … Osinbajo … should be the successor to … Buhari.”
The Buharispeak in full
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, TO THE PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING HELD AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON TUESDAY, 31ST MAY, 2022
I am delighted to address this gathering of the Progressive Governors’ Forum as part of the consultative processes that have always strengthened the internal dynamics of our Party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
2. You will all recall that APC came to power at the center in 2015 through a cohesive machinery, notwithstanding its status as the opposition party. Similarly, in 2019, it was returned to power under my leadership, because of the dividends of democracy delivered to Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings.
3. The Party has since grown in strength and capacity to govern. The key to both electoral successes is the ability of the party to hold consultations and for its members to put the nation above other interests.
4. The transition processes for the 2023 General Elections have commenced in earnest and I note that the most successful Political Parties globally have always relied on their internal cohesion and a strong leadership brand to achieve bigger electoral fortunes. Our party, the APC, shall not be any different, more so as we are still implementing the blueprint for a more prosperous nation.
5. As I begin the final year of my second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader of the Party, I recognize the compelling need for me to provide stronger leadership to the Party under this transition process and to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner.
6. Such leadership is required so that the Party remains strong and united. It is also needed to improve our electoral fortunes by ensuring that it retains power at the center, hold the great majority in various legislative chambers and also gain additional number of states at state levels.
7. In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the Party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels. For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.
8. In a few days, the Party will be holding its Convention during which primaries would take place to pick the Presidential Flag Bearer for the 2023 General Elections. This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.
9. As we approach the Convention, I appeal to all of you to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community. Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of the candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.
10. In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
11. I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention. This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger.
12. I thank you all for listening. God bless you all. God bless our Party, the APC and God bless our nation, Nigeria.