Osinbajo calm, cheerful as Tinubu explodes over Buhari’s plot to impose consensus presidential candidate on APC

On Thursday, Mr Osinbajo met with Abdullahi Adamu, the APC national chairman, alongside five APC governors at his residence in the presidential villa.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has continued his campaign to clinch the APC presidential ticket unfazed by the meltdown orchestrated by his estranged political godfather and fellow presidential hopeful, Bola Tinubu

On Thursday, Mr Osinbajo met with Abdullahi Adamu, the APC national chairman alongside five APC governors at his residence in the presidential villa, Abuja just ahead of the party’s convention to select its candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The vice president’s meeting with the party leaders also followed the APC’s screening exercise for presidential aspirants by the John Odigie-Oyegun-led committee.  

On Thursday, Mr Tinubu went on a rant while vying for the support of party delegates in Ogun.

The outburst precedes the ruling party’s presidential primary slated for June 6. While Mr Tinubu is seen as a frontrunner, there are widespread speculations he has no support from President Muhammadu Buhari.

In his comments, Mr Tinubu named all the politicians who relied on his influence and resources to come into office, adding that all he got in return were failed promises.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time. Give me the position. It’s my turn,” Mr Tinubu said.

The presidential hopeful publicly claimed credit for the emergence of Dapo Abiodun as Ogun governor in 2019. He also helped former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, when having problems with their principals.

The speculation that Mr Tinubu would not receive the support of President Muhammadu Buhari has been fuelled by Mr Buhari’s comments to party governors ahead of his departure for Spain. 

Mr Buhari said he encouraged second-term governors to implement a succession plan and promote a successor; and as such, had picked his preferred successor, asking the governors to endorse and support him.

“In keeping with the established internal policies of the party and as we approach the convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023’’, Mr Buhari said.