Every election year is filled with anxiety, trepidation and all manner of uncertainty especially when the incumbent president is completing his constitutional tenure and another president is being expected to be elected.
The story is the same across board and nations of the world. As 2023 general election in Nigeria beckons, the usual political fireworks, intrigues, scheming and blackmail from political actors have continue to dominate national discourse.
The reason is obvious. Who occupies Aso Rock? the seat of power in Nigeria. The struggle for power and the nation’s transition trajectory are basically responsible for the hues and cries of the next president.
President Mohammadu Buhari will vacate Aso Rock on May 29th 2023, as expected, another president will take over the affairs of the nation. The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is perfecting strategies on how to retain power. One of such unique selling points is the ceding of presidential ticket of the party to the southern part of Nigeria. The political gladiators in APC are leaving no one in doubt on how to retain power post 2023.
Although the electioneering campaign is yet to commence but presidential hopefuls in APC have started the usual consultations. . From the list of presidential aspirants being paraded, the vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo stands head and shoulder above the rest. He has demonstrated unusual leadership qualities and Osinbajo’s presidency all things being equal will consolidate the gains of the Buhari administration and set the country on the path of growth and prosperity.
Professor Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, SAN, (GCON) is a man of many parts. His intimidating resume is already sending shivers to the spine of other APC presidential aspirants.
Although he has not declared his intention to contest for the president in 2023 general election, but the signs are crystal clear that the 64 year old professor of law will throw his hat into the ring.
An accomplished scholar, administrator and statesman whose towering influence in public service is legendary.
His records of service speak volumes. In 1981, he was engaged as a lecturer by the University of Lagos. Like a golden fish that has no hiding place, he was appointed as an Adviser (Legal Advice and Litigation), to the then Attorney – General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, KBE ( From 1988 -1992).
He came back to his alma mater and in 1994, he became a Professor of Law following which he was appointed Head of Department of Public Law, University of Lagos.
He left an indelible mark as head of department of Public Law before venturing into the murky Waters of Nigerian politics when the country was returned to democratic rule.
Between 1999 and 2007, he was Member of Cabinet of the Lagos State Government where he served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. He was instrumental in securing the famous legal victory for the state against the Federal Government over seized local government funds and the legitimacy of the state government to create Local Development Areas.
From 2007 – 2013, he was once again employed as a Professor of Law, Department of Public Law, University of Lagos.
His tentacles were not limited to the shores of Nigeria alone, he has always been involved in global affairs. He was a Staff Member, United Nations Operations in Somalia, Justice Division, UNOSOM II
He was equally a Member, United Nations Secretary General’s Committee of Experts on Conduct and Discipline of UN, Peacekeeping Personnel around the globe.
Professor Osinbajo is a member of the International Bar Association and the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and has served on the Nigerian Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education of Nigeria.
He was also an independent director of CitiBank Nigeria and was an ethics adviser to the board of the Africa Development Bank (ADB).
He is a prolific writer and has authored several books. One of such master class is Human Right, Democracy and Development in Nigeria.
He has always been an advocate for the voiceless in the society especially orphans and vulnerable children. Osinbajo founded the Orderly Society Trust (OST), an ICT innovation which is involved in an Excel literacy programme that aims to provide children in public primary schools with the same level of training in English as is available to their counterparts in private schools . His love for justice and equity led him to co-found Justice Research Institute a justice sector think tank as well as the Convention On Business Integrity.
As a spiritual leader, Osinbajo has organized various initiatives that work towards social justice. He is the brain behind the Liberty Schools Project. An initiative that provides free primary school education with free school lunch to poor children.
This Project has three sites in poor communities in Obanikoro, Ikota and Makoko, all in Lagos. Other initiatives include free health care facilities, free legal services, social rehabilitation, skills acquisition for the very poor, a regular soup kitchen service, and free shelter for young people without accommodation.
He is an ordained Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
and an Emeritus Ambassador for the Environment in Lagos.
As a Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has demonstrated uncommon loyalty to his principal – the President, shown commitment to the nation and leadership stability.
As the race for President Mohammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023 hots up, many presidential pretenders are already unsheathing their swords, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is obviously not a presidential pretender but a contender that is poised for the real deal. ”In a message to celebrate the Vice President on his 64th birthday, the President was quoted as saying, “I’m proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate, and he has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015.” According to him, Mr Osinbajo is a cool-headed gentleman who puts Nigeria’s interest above other narrow considerations. President Buhari further said that his Vice is an incredibly patient politician, who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties,” He is a reliable and dedicated deputy, who is not only admirably competent but also exudes confidence and passion in the performance of his job.
His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari
The vice-president leaves a positive mark anywhere he is given an opportunity to serve. “I can say categorically that Prof made things happen when he was lecturing at the University of Lagos. He made things happen in Lagos state, on the board of Citibank, in the legal system of Nigeria as attorney-general of Lagos state, including judicial reform. He also made things happen as a clergyman,”
“He has also tried to make things happen in the difficult terrain of Nigerian politics. I have witnessed him as a policymaker, a lecturer, a man of faith, and a solicitor to a good friend of mine.
“I remember once again under his stewardship, the adoption of the I&E window, which was a major achievement in stabilising the naira at a time of turbulence in the 2016-17 recession.
“Nigeria today has made remarkable achievements in the ease of doing business matrix. Nigeria is the leading country according to The Economist Pocket Book of Figures with 39.9 percent of its citizens either as nascent or direct entrepreneurs.”
These were the words of Rewane – The Economist
“As Northern Governors, we have enjoyed tremendous cooperation of the Vice President who gives us a listening ear at individual and collective levels and engages us on how to tackle the challenges of our region and the nation.
“Among other things, we cherish his leadership of the National Livestock Transformation Programme, which seeks to usher Nigeria into the threshold of modern livestock business, capable of ending the negative consequences of open grazing in the country. We assure the Vice President of our continued collaboration as he supports the President to deliver his promises to the people.”
His Excellency Governor Simon Lalong, Executive Governor of Plateau State.
