Professor Yemi Osinbajo Declares Interest To Run For Presidency.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has declared his intention to run for the office of president. Prof. Osinbajo, from Ogun State, seeks to succeed his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second term in office ends in May 2023.
In his declaration speech posted on his social media handles, Prof. Osinbajo said he has, in the past seven years as vice president, “traversed every part of our country, meeting Nigerians of every cadre, class, tribe and walks of life, both young and old; I MET YOU.”
His declaration ends months of speculation over his interest in the 2023 presidential race and widens the pool of candidates for the position.
It also puts him in direct confrontation with his former boss in Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who signalled his intention earlier in the year.
In his declaration speech, Osinbajo said he was committed to continuing President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the country.
“If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started, radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture,” he said, “completing the reforms of our justice system; focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observants of the rule of law; rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways, and broadband connectivity, providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive, taking the agriculture revolution to the next level, especially mechanization and developing the farm-to-table value chain; making sure that the government, its agencies, and regulators, serve the business community, creating a tech economy that will provide jobs for millions of young Nigerians; enhancing our social investment program, to a full-scale social welfare program.”
The VP will be squaring up against APC bigwigs including his political benefactor and former governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha and governors of Kogi and Ebonyi states Yahaya Bello and Dave Umahi.
