A pan Yoruba socio-political group, Yoruba Patriots Movement (YPM) has welcomed the declaration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (PYO) to succeed President Mohammadu Buhari in 2023, describing it as right and timely.
The group, under the leadership of Barrister (Hon.) Oladosu Oladipo (GCCF) stated this at an emergency meeting, held at No 12, Oladosu Oladipo Close, New Bodija, Ibadan, on Monday.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the leader of the group, Oladipo, said the entry of Osinbajo into the presidential race has brightened the chances of South West to produce the next president of Nigeria.
He noted that having gone through the tutelage of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s developmental leadership for eight years, and as the partner to Buhari for seven years, with thorough assimilation of good governance
and cognitive experiences from two foremost Nigerians and patriotic leaders, coupled with his intimidating, unbeatable (CV), all round robust education and profession, complete infrastructure and experience in next level prosperity deliverables for Nigeria and Nigerians in the atmosphere of peace, happiness, safety and plenty, Osinbajo is ahead of all aspirants from the various geo-political zones of the country, including the South West.
According to Oladipo, the declaration of the vice president to have a shot at 2023 presidency has opened the political space where true patriots in the country would likely align with and vote for him in the 2023 presidential election, regardless of party affiliations.
“Today, apart from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, we have had of other competent Yorubas like Dele Momodu, Pastor Tunde Bakare, and Prof. Femi Olufunmilade, who have declared their interest to govern Nigeri,” he said.
He described Osinbajo as eminently qualified, saying, “it is glaring that Yoruba is ready to lead the nation again.”
“Looking at his intellectual capability, comportment, loyalty and his engagement in national and international discourse, Osinbajo, no doubt is a round peg in a round hole,” the elderstateman said.
Oladipo maintained that it is the turn of the South West to produce the next president of Nigeria, saying this would unify the entity called Nigeria.
“From objective analysis of our political history in Nigeria we originally had three regions that amalgamated to become the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and these are Western, Northern and Eastern regions. When this dispensation started in 1999, the western region produced the president, after him, the presidency moved to Umar Yar’Adua (a northerner), who died after two years in power and succeeded by Goodluck Jonathan ( from easterner region). The power went back to the northern region again with the robust support of the South West for the election of President Mohammadu Buhari who is about to finish his eight years in office in 2023. To all right thinking democratic members of All Progressives Congress (APC), fairness, equity, and good conscience dictate that the process goes back to South West, where it started,” Oladipo explained.
The former presidential aspirant said Osinbajo’s distintive competence, nationwide popularity and intellectual capability, delivery ability, practical ability of agility, mileabilty, which he said nobody can doubt stands him out and very difficult to beat.
When asked if Osinbajo’s interest to contest would not be seen as direct challenge to Tinubu’s presidential bid, Oladipo disagreed, adding: “Asiwaju Tinubu is our father, whether one likes it or not, he has virtually everthing in terms of knowledge, experience, ability and he’s the national leader of All Progressives Congress and foremost leader with monumental achievements. He will work for the best in the circumstance.”
He, however, maintained that before Osinbajo comes out at this late hour, somebody who can read between the lines must be able to have the premonition or complete understanding of the presumption that he is likely to be the one to continue from where President Mohammadu Buhari stops.
“In my candid opinion, this is continuity and reward for 100% loyalty, hardwork, thorough understanding of national issues vis-a-vis complexity, endowed abilities and the right temperaments to equitable, just and peaceful solution,” Oladipo added.
