Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has reportedly informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intentions to run for President in 2023.
This comes after months of speculations that Osinbajo is nursing an ambition to succeed Buhari.
Daily Trust quoted multiple sources familiar with the matter that the Vice-President wants to continue implementing the policies initiated by the Buhari administration.
“Certainly, VP Osinbajo has told the president that he wants to succeed him,” Daily Trust quoted one of the sources to have said.
“The vice president had first consulted some prominent Nigerians who encouraged him to vie for the presidency and they also encouraged him to tell the president himself.
“They told him not to allow a third party to tell the president so that the ambition will not be misconstrued,” the source added.
Another source stated that after listening to Osinbajo, President Buhari gave him his blessings just the way he has done to others who indicated interest before him.
“Buhari smiled in his usual characteristic manner…he listened to the VP carefully and while responding, he gave him the green light and wished him well without giving him any commitment or assurance of supporting him ahead of other contenders.
“He blessed the intention just the way he blessed Tinubu when he visited him in the Villa and unveiled his plan to vie for the presidency.
“And I think the president is being careful. Remember what he said while granting an interview to a national television,” the source said.
If he decides to contest, Osinbajo will square it out with his benefactor and National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Imo state governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi for the party’s presidential ticket.
