A pan Yoruba socio-political group, Yoruba Patriots Movement (YPM) has welcomed the declaration of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (PYO) to succeed his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as right and timely.
The meeting noted that having gone through the tutelage with thorough assimilation of good governance from a great leader and patriot, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s developmental leadership for eight years and as the partner for seven years to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, both cognitive experiences from two foremost Nigerians and Patriotic Leaders of our time coupled with his intimidating unbeatable (CV) all round robust educational and professional with complete infrastructure and experience in Next-Level Prosperity Deliverables for Nigeria and Nigerians in the atmosphere of peace, happiness, safety and plenty put YPO ahead of all aspirants from and geopolitical zones of Nigeria including Southwest.
The group under the leadership of Barrister (Hon.) Oladosu Oladipo, GCCF made this known at an emergency meeting held at Bodija in Ibadan; Oyo State capital on Monday, 11th April 2022 backed the interest of Professor Osinbajo to become the next Nigeria’s President.
The group believes that the declaration of the vice president to have a shot at the 2023 presidency has opened the political space where true Patriots in the country would likely align with and vote for him in the 2023 Presidential Election regardless of any party affiliations.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, the leader of the group, Barrister Oladipo said with the entry of Prof. Osinbajo into the presidential race, the Southwest’s chances to produce the next president has brightened.
Oladipo said, “Today, apart from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, we have had of other competent Yorubas like Dele Momodu, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Prof. Femi Olufunmilade and Governor Kayode Fayemi, who have declared their interest to govern Nigeria”.
He added, with the latest declaration of Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who he described as eminently qualified, “it is glaring that Yoruba is ready to lead the nation again”.
“Looking at his intellectual capability, comportment, loyalty and his engagement in national and international discourse, Osinbajo, no doubt is a round peg in a round hole”, the elder statesman said.
Oladipo also maintained that it is the turn of the south west to produce the next president of Nigeria, saying this would unify the entity called Nigeria.
“From objective analysis of our political history in Nigeria we originally had three regions that amalgamated to become the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and these are Western, Northern and Eastern regions. When this dispensation started in 1999, the western region produced the president, after him, the presidency moved to Umar Yar’Adua (a Northerner), who died after two years in power and was succeeded by Goodluck Jonathan Easterner region). The power went back to the Northerner region again with the robust support of the Southwest for the election of President Muhammadu Buhari who is about to finish his eight years in office in 2023. To all right thinking democratic members of All Progressives Congress APC , fairness, equity, and good conscience dictate that the process goes back to Southwest, where it started”, Oladipo explained.
According to the former presidential aspirant, the distinctive competence and the nationwide popularity with his intellectual capability which nobody can doubt, or easily match plus the added Osinbajo’s delivery ability, practical ability of agility, malleability stands him out and very difficult to beat, by presidential aspirants from and political party in the country today.
Responding to a question if Osinbajo’s interest to contest would not be seen as direct challenge to Tinubu’s presidential bid, Oladipo disagreed
He said, “Asiwaju Tinubu is our father, whether one likes it or not, he has virtually everything in terms of knowledge, experience and ability and he’s the national leader of All Progressives Congress and foremost leader with monumental achievements. He will work for the best in the circumstance.
He, however, maintained that before Osinbajo comes out at this late hour, somebody who can read between the lines must be able to have the premonition or complete understanding of the presumption that he is likely to be the one to continue from where President Muhammadu Buhari stops.
“In my candid opinion, this is continuity and reward for 100% loyalty, hard work, thorough understanding of national issues vis-a-vis complexity, endowed abilities and the right temperaments to equitable, just and peaceful solution,” the elder statesman concluded.
