Osinbajo in pole position declares run on Twitter
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“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 APC,” Yemi Osinbajo declared on his Twitter handle this morning.
The Vice President says he has made up his mind to run for President, a job he has understudied for seven years which puts him in pole position to win and has the right of first refusal to accept or decline.
Osinbajo declared his run today on his verified Twitter handle and will make further announcements in a video.
“The video will be circulated across social media handles. The details will be explained in a press statement,” his Political Adviser, Femi Ojudu, confirmed on Sunday night, per reporting by The Nation.
Osinbajo told All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors at a meeting in Abuja on Sunday that he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to succeed him in 2023.
After informing Buhari the next in rank to be informed are APC Governors, he explained, which he did by summoning them to the meeting at his official residence in Abuja.
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By qualification and by convention
Osinbajo, 65, declared his run for the Villa after months of speculation and unease among his supporters over rumour that he might turn down the post for a number of factors, including the presidential quest of Bola Tinubu.
But by qualification and by convention, Osinbajo is the most qualified for President in this election cycle. He has been just a breath away from the top job for seven years, during which he showed his mettle for the periods he has acted President.
In other democracies, by convention and by decency, a sitting Vice President who qualifies for President, and who wants to run for President, is given the right of first refusal and is never challenged by a member of his own party.
This is especially so in the United States, the benchmark of presidential democracy copied by other countries, including Nigeria.
Osinbajo informed APC Governors that he has the capacity and experience to be the main man in the Villa, having been Vice President for seven years.
He said he has consulted widely and would inform Nigerians through a declaration today.
Having informed Buhari, he stressed, APC Governors were the people to inform next, a source close to the meeting said last night.
About 10 APC Governors attended the meeting, led by Governors Forum (PGF) Chairman and Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu.
Other Governors in attendance include Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna).
The Nation learnt that Bagudu, who responded on their behalf, said APC Governors are looking forward to the party continuing its control of federal power after the 2023 ballot.
Other APC members who have also declared their run for President are
- Tinubu
- Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi
- Senator Rochas Okorocha
- Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello
- Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi
The APC is expected to hold its primaries in May but has not announced the timetable.
APC zones Presidency to the South
The APC in this election cycle has zoned the Presidency to the South, coming after the tenure of Buhari who is from the North. The party also agreed to swap other key federal elective positions between North and South.
Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai announced the decision on 23 February a few minutes after Buhari held a meeting with APC Governors at the Villa in Abuja.
“We have agreed a zoning formula for all the six geo-political zones. Essentially, Northern zone will have the positions the South have had in the last eight years, and vice versa. It is a very simple, equitable and fair formula.
“We will now go back and consult at the zonal levels and look at the positions that are available and the process of the convention preparation will be started in earnest.
“So, by the grace of God, on the 26th of March, we would have done our national convention,” Rufai said.