Osinbajo is Buhari’s number one confidant and is respected by all Governors
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Yemi Osinbajo is President Muhammadu Buhari’s number one confidant and the Vice President is well respect by all Governors across party lines because of the way he handles proceedings in the National Economic Council (NEC) he chairs.
Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai made the disclosure when Osinbajo canvassed for the votes of All Progressive Congress (APC) delegates at a meeting with them in Kaduna.
El-Rufai himself is a confidant of Buhari – call him Buhari’s man – having disclosed earlier this year that he had no plans to become Governor and it was the President who told him to seek the job because politics needs younger players like him.
After a meeting Buhari held with APC Governors in the Villa on 23 February, it was El-Rufai who briefed journalists and he announced that the party had reached an agreement on swapping positions between North and South in 2023.
“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,” he disclosed.
So, el-Rufai may be letting the cat of the bag as per Buhari’s anointed successor.
“I won’t tell you my favourite [presidential candidate] for 2023; he may be eliminated if I mention him. I better keep it a secret,” Buhari told Channels Television in January.
TheNiche later reported on 25 April how a source in Buhari’s inner circle disclosed that he will announce before May 30 the man he prefers to succeed him.
Buhari will personally announce his choice – or tell his trusted aides whom to support, then the name will leak to the media, the source explained.
Buhari, APC Governors meet on consensus candidate
APC Governors, National Assembly (NASS), and other big wigs held a closed-door meeting with Buhari in the Villa on 24 May to brainstorm on picking a consensus presidential candidate before the primaries on 29 May.
Back in Kaduna, El-Rufai attributed to Osinbajo, the recent repayment to states of Paris Club refund deducted from their accounts in 2005 and the federal bailout to 27 states unable to pay salaries, according a statement issued by Osinbajo’s Media and Publicity Assistant Laolu Akande.
Akande said with about a week to the primaries of APC, Osinbajo continues to receive commendation from APC Governors, their Deputies, and other stakeholders for his efforts at improving governance for national progress.
El-Rufai described him as a man of intellect, brilliance, a unifier and detribalised Nigerian, saying he worked closely with him to draft the APC strategy and manifesto.
“[Osinbajo is] the number one confidante of the President and has the respect of all the Governors of Nigeria, across party lines, because of the way and manner he steers the affairs of the National Economic Council [NEC],’’ he said.
He stressed that Osinbajo had previously visited Kaduna on several occasions and “he is not just here because he is running for President. He is here because he has a close affinity with the government and people of Kaduna State.
“I want those that don’t know, our party leaders and delegates, to know that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has always shown uncommon love for the people of Kaduna State.”
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Related articles:
Buhari to announce preferred successor before May 30
APC considers consensus after meeting with Buhari
Buhari insists on zoning Presidency to the South in 2023
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El-Rufai extols Osinbajo’s leadership qualities
“I have worked very closely with the Vice President in the last seven years. Before then, we worked as senior officials of the party to craft the party’s strategy, as well as manifesto,” El-Rufai added, per Nairmetrics reporting.
“We jointly wrote the manifesto of the party together as members of the strategy committee of the party.
“He is a man of intellect, brilliance; a unifier, a detribalised Nigerian; who has shown us leadership as chairman of the National Economic Council.
“It was under Vice President Osinbajo’s leadership that our Paris Cub refund that was deducted in 2005 was finally paid to all the states, and we are all beneficiaries.
“It was under his leadership that recommendations were made to bail out 27 states, that, in 2015 were unable to pay salaries. I can go on and on to list the qualifications and virtues of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.”
El-Rufai urged Kaduna delegates to vote for the best person who will take Nigeria to the promised land.
“In Kaduna State we are people of honour. So, please remember that the future of Nigeria is at stake. Nigeria is at a critical crossroads and the choices we make in 2023 will, to a large extent, determine whether this country progresses rapidly to achieve its manifest destiny or not.
“We must put all our sentiments and personal interests aside, and vote for the best person that will take Nigeria to that promised land.”
