The stage is set for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to battle for the presidential ticket of the ruling party.
While Tinubu made his presidential ambition known in January, Osinbajo declared a few hours ago.
In March, Daily Trust had exclusively reported that Osinbajo informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition.
Osinbajo was Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Lagos State during the eight years’ reign of Tinubu as governor of the state.
The interest of both men in the race has created a division in the ranks of APC.
In March, when Daily Trust exclusively reported that Osinbajo had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his presidential ambition, Political allies and support groups of Tinubu said the former Lagos State governor is not bothered by Osinbajo’s ambition.
The highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, the Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC), said Tinubu remains its choice.
Leader of the GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said the council has endorsed Tinubu as well as recommended him to Nigerians as a genius in statecraft.
He said there is no evidence that Osinbajo is running, adding that his ambition has remained a rumour.
The National Coordinator of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye, said the group is committed to its purpose of promoting the presidential ambition of Tinubu and cannot be distracted by any other declaration.
He, however, said the group will not comment on rumour or speculation.
“We will comment when he declares,” he said.
Tinubu Support Group (TSG) led by a member of the national assembly, Hon. James Faleke, said the acceptability of Asiwaju by political and traditional rulers in the South West has shown that he is the preferred candidate of the region, stressing that anyone contesting against him will be doing so against the wish of the people.
A grassroots politician and social commentator, Malam Ahmed Jaji, who said Osinbajo has the right to contest, expressed worry that such action will not speak well of the unity of the South West
The former Executive Secretary of Ojodu Local Council Development Area added that Osinbajo’s political antecedents can be traced to Tinubu.
“If he chose to contest for the APC ticket, it could lead to votes from the region being divided. Another person with bloc votes can take advantage of this,” he said.
Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, who maintained that the party is committed to Tinubu’s ambition, rubbished reports that some members of the party in the state are clamouring for Osinbajo to be given its 2023 presidential ticket.
“Lagos APC is aware of Asiwaju’s ambition. The other is in the realm of rumour-mongering and speculation, so there is no way our members will declare support for rumour,” he added. (Daily Trust)
