2023: I’ll start working from day one if elected as President, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that he would start work from day one after he assumes office if elected as Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Osinbajo said his seven years as Vice President, among other stints in public service, have provided him with sufficient knowledge, information, and experience to hit the ground running from day one if he is elected as President.

He made the assertion during his meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates and traditional leaders in Cross River and Bayelsa States on Thursday, as part of his consultations with stakeholders and delegates of the ruling party across the country.

In his remarks to the monarchs, Osinbajo noted that his experience for the past seven years has prepared him for the task ahead in 2023 and beyond, noting that he would not waste any time in continuing with the task of nation-building.

Speaking to the members of the Cross River State Traditional Council, the Vice President restated his reason to run for President, noting that Nigeria would overcome its economic and security challenges.

“The truth of the matter is that every country is faced with peculiar challenges – in our case, we are faced with security and economic challenges. But we also know that God Himself equips us with all the necessary resources to defeat every challenge.

“I believe very strongly that God helping us, our economic and security challenges will not only be dealt with but will be stepping stones for a greater nation and a more prosperous and secured nation,” Osinbajo was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his media aide, Laolu Akande, on Friday.

Speaking at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, the Vice President restated the invaluable experience he has in government, as Vice President and at some point, Acting President.

The APC presidential aspirant said: “Your Royal Majesty and Paramount Ruler present, in my capacity as VP, I had the great fortune of working with President Buhari, who in every real sense exposed me to all one should know about governance at the highest level in our country.

”Our country is complex, diverse, and rich in resources, and with the diversity and various complexities, it obviously requires some experience. I have had the good fortune of serving for 7 years, observing first-hand the intricacies of our nation. On occasions also, I have served as Acting President of our country.

“I think that with all the experience I have been able to gather within that period, it is clear that God’s intention was that all that experience would become useful one day and I believe that that time has come when our country calls for a successor to President Buhari who by May 2023 by the grace of God, would have served for 8 years.”

While welcoming the Vice President to the State, the Obong of Calabar said the country needs more credible leaders and men of integrity.

He added that he was happy that Osinbajo was “standing up to take up the mantle of leadership in this country”.

Pledging support for the Osinbajo’s presidential bid, the monarch said: “You have the experience, you are exposed,…your remarkable administrative display to the people. We appreciate you; we appreciate all you are doing.

“We don’t need to say most of these things now, but when the time comes, all we are praying is that you pick up the ticket, get the mandate. And at the time you step out to the field, most of us will show our support.”

Also speaking, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, who had earlier received Osinbajo at the Government House in Calabar, described the Vice President as his most respected senior professor, saying: “I have no doubt that he has the capacity to drive Nigeria’s hopes and dreams.

“I have no worries about the Vice President’s ambition. I would like the people of Cross River State to carefully and attentively listen to him. He is a man of great intellect and value and he came in to respectfully honour our Obong.

“He is someone that I share same ideas, hopes, and aspirations with.”

In Cross River State, the Vice President was received by Governor Ben Ayade, who was accompanied by APC stalwarts in the South-South geo-political zone, including Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Minister Edem Duke, former NDDC Managing Director, Obong Nsima Ekere, among others.

Osinbajo also paid a courtesy visit to the traditional rulers in Bayelsa State, where he was received by the State Traditional Rulers Council.

The Star

Segun Ojo