Tinubu has openly shown interest to replace Buhari as the Villa occupant in 2023. Osinbajo may also be interested
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Lagos strongman, Bola Tinubu, and Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo met today at Aso Villa amid speculation of a clash of interest between them.
Tinubu has openly shown interest to replace President Muhammadu Buhari at the Villa in 2023, a situation that could set him on a collision with his old friend, Osinbajo.
Analysts say it is a matter of time before the clash between Tinubu and Osinbajo becomes open. The reason is that All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in the South West are rooting for Tinubu to become Nigeria’s president, but their counterparts in the north favour Osinbajo.
A group of northern politicians under the aegis of the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG), has been pushing for the choice of Osinbajo for 2023. In August, as part of the mobilization for the vice president, they visited the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, the Emir of Daura Emirate, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk and APC members from all the 34 local councils of the state. Buhari is from Katsina State.
Leader of the group, Aliyu Rabiu Kurfi, told reporters after the political tour that: “Every passing day, we see further indications of success in our mobilization and advocacy efforts towards ensuring that Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari and sustain our party, APC’s progressive ideals.”
Tinubu support group is not laying low. It comprises highly influential APC chieftains in the South West who go by the name South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).
At the launch of SWAGA on October 7, which was attended by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and hundreds of Tinubu loyalists, leader of the group Dayo Adeyeye said: “It is indeed a payback time for our national leader, who had through his years of service contributed to the lives of many others and today you can see his footprints across the country.”
