By Azuka Christopher
MON 11 APRIL, 2022-theGBJournal |Nigeria’s Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has declared his intention to run for the office the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ending speculations and eliciting mixed reaction.
Osinbajo said in short broadcast that has so far been widely received by Nigerians- ‘’I have been to practically all local governments in Nigeria, I have been in markets, in factories, in schools and in farms. I have been in agricultural, mining and in the oil producing communities in the Delta, in Kebbi, in Enugu and Bornu, in Rivers and Ondo, and in all other states of the federation, listening to the diverse experience and yearnings of our people. I have visited our gallant troops in the North East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I felt the pains and anguish of victims in violent conflicts and terrorists attacks, flooding, fires and other disasters. I have been to homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country. I have sat with our techpreneurs in Lagos, Edo and Kaduna, with our Nollywood actors, with our musicians from Lagos and Kano and I have spoken to small and large businesses. I stood where they stood and I sat where they sat. I know their hopes and aspirations,’’
The declaration is widely viewed as the most powerfull challenge to the perceived frontrunner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and he joins the growing list of aspirants from across the South South and South East that have so far declared their intention to run.
Osinbajo has represented Nigeria, at the direction of President Muhammadu Buhari, in several international engagements in the past seven years.
‘’I believe that the very reason why the Alnighty God gave me these experiences, these insights and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use our country and greats people,’’ he said while appealing for support.
The social media have been abuzz with many users elated.
‘’We the indigenes of the South South support you,’’ one Twitter user (Dom) wrote on his handle.
Another user responding to the announcement wrote; I’m so emotional now. This is undoubtedly the best declaration in our nation’s history.’’
Another described the Vice President as ‘’surely the best qualified,’’ adding he surely has my vote.’’
The APC has not put out an official statement in response to the declaration, but it is said by people close to the Presidency that he will get the full backing and support of President Buhari.
‘’The President will soon openly and publicly throw his weight behind this aspiration,’’ one insider told theGBJournal early Monday morning.
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