The torchlight for the right candidate is a trending topic and the engagement has taken a centre stage in the media space. Political analysts and experts have set a premium for the topic which has also triggered public discussions. Now that the 2023 electoral circle is moving closer as Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has less than two years to complete his second term in office after his historic win on a joint ticket with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in 2015.
Political discussions across the country now verge on who takes over the topmost office in 2023. While the Nigeria’s two major political parties the All Progressives Congress APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, have been busy jostling for suitable candidates for the hot job. In a not share, the 2023 presidential election has thrown up so much in the air while there are still ongoing bickering and embroilment in both the APC and PDP over the control of the soul of their parties.
Though, the most important thing is that, the interesting way some sections of the media have begun playing up the alleged presidential aspirations of two notable personalities in the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, in the persons of the current Nigerian Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who incidentally is the national leader of the ruling APC.
The two top shots have a long history of father and son relationship that started out in the administration of Lagos State more than over two decades ago, when the Vice President served as the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, after which he also proceeded to offering legal and constitutional advice until his new role at the presidency.
The 2023 presidential election in sight coupled with the widespread and dominant clamour for a Southern presidency, the former Lagos State Governor and the Vice President have been at the centre of discussions. There have been reports and speculations that Tinubu and Osinbajo might be individually interested in the presidency seat though both men have yet to publicly declare any intention to contest the exalted office in 2023.
But, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has not given a go-ahead for 2023 politicking, some persons even the news media have resorted into different kinds of divisive engagements amongst the two presidential hopefuls. One good example was a recent news publication from a particular online media platform of Thursday, October 21st, 2021 under the headline, VP Yemi Osinbajo Drops Presidential Ambition For Tinubu Ahead Of 2023.
According to the report, one of Osinbajo’s reasons for jettison his presidential ambition was the divisive dimension in which supporters of both Tinubu and Osinbajo have been engaging themselves in the unofficial campaign. It was also stated in the report that one unnamed aide had claimed he over heard the Vice President telling close associates and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God {RCCG} who paid Osinbajo unofficial visit at the Presidential Villa, saying he has dropped his presidential ambition for Tinubu ahead of 2023.
Though the report was indeed a torrid exercise. The writer penned the story in a blur of incomprehension, riddled with inaccuracies and outright falsehood, and it is thought such can only happen with someone obnubilated by corrupted thoughts. First and foremost, how possible does a person drop an ambition he has not made known to the public. From the last check, the Vice President has not declared interest in the 2023 presidential race and his office has continually distanced itself from different political and social groups mobilizing for the support of Osinbajo’s 2023 candidacy.
Then, as for the reported visit of Osinbajo to Tinubu’s home following his return from London this past weeks after a knee surgery. As far as the public space is concerned, Osinbajo is yet to visit Tinubu and there is no way the two will face off without the knowledge of the media. No news outfit would want to miss out on breaking such story considering the political situation that defines such visit. So, where is the news of him visiting the APC national leader coming from? Definitely it is a lie from the pit of hell.
In a statement made by the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Babafemi Ojudu, on October 11th, 2021 he said “Osinbajo and Tinubu are members of the ruling party and both men welcome politics without bitterness and divisiveness. The presidential aide who works in the office of the Vice President went further to clarify that there is no conflict of political interests between the two politicians. We are not unaware of some people who may want to foist a crack among our leaders. Such an attempt is abortive. Osinbajo and Tinubu’s relationship dates way back and it shall continue to wax strong.
Let me, therefore, call on individuals and media houses engaged in this act to desist from doing so. The APC remains one single, indivisible party and Osinbajo remains a loyal member of the party who respects both the party structure as well as its leadership, Ojudu concluded. While it is true that Vice President Osinbajo is one of the nurtured talents of the national leader of the ruling APC, it is believed Osinbajo, will forever be grateful to the former Lagos State governor, being someone with a credible personality, especially as a pastor, who understands the God’s fondness for gratitude.
Be that as it may, it is also good to note that, some political actors within the party are equally contributing to the ensuing controversy following the formation of the Southwest Agenda for Tinubu SWAGA, to advance the presidential aspiration of their principal while he was away in London for medical reasons. Yet, the person they named the group after has not even publicly identified with it on the reason its founders said it was formed.
As if that was not enough, just on October 21st, a former Minister of Works said to be the national chairman of SWAGA, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, was reported in a section of the media to have said that 16 governors of the All Progressives Congress APC, were supporting Tinubu’s presidential aspiration. How?
Though everyone has a right to make free speeches, but as we know, governors’ decisions are not what they shroud in secrecy. They either communicate it on their own or through their spokespersons authorized to do so. We are yet to see any statement to that effect..!
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