By The battle for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has gotten more intense after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reportedly joined the race.
According to Daily Trust, Osinbajo — whose presidential ambition has been rumoured for a while — has informed his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to succeed him in 2023.
Citing sources, the newspaper reported that the Vice President met Buhari to officially declare his presidential ambition after a series of consultations with prominent Nigerians.
“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,” one of the sources was quoted as saying.
Daily Trust also reported that another source disclosed that the President ‘blessed’ Osinbajo and wished him well — just like he did to former Lagos State governor and APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who visited Buhari in January to inform him of his presidential ambition.
Judging by this development, Osinbajo will be seeking to clinch the APC ticket alongside Tinubu, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzo Kalu, and Senator Rochas Okorocha.
For the Vice President, his ambition which is yet to be officially declared might be a test of his loyalty since his former boss and political benefactor, Tinubu is also seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023. Before now, there have been series of veiled verbal attacks from both camps, however, the duo has condemned such comments.
