Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday visited the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the latter’s Abuja residence, amid speculations that the VP has made up his mind to run for President in 2023.
Osinbajo’s purported ambition apparently clashes with Tinubu’s, as the Jagaban Borgu has already thrown his hat in the ring, through campaigns spearheaded by various real and acephalous groups.
There has been perceived tension in Southwest’s political firmament especially, as Osinbajo is said to be brooding over succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari, whereas, his godfather, Tinubu is having the same ambition.
Tinubu, preparatory to the 2015 presidential election, had fielded Osinbajo as Buhari’s running mate, in consonance with a resolve of the era’s amalgam.
Position of President was conceded to Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Vice President to Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC).
While Buhari fielded himself, Tinubu presented Osinbajo.
Sources told FirstNews at the weekend that Tinubu deliberately opted to run for president, despite his frail health, as an indirect move “to protest various infractions in the Buhari administration”.
“Tinubu may eventually drop his ambition for a candidate he himself believes can deliver but he threw his hat in the ring first, to draw public attention and help to placate the masses that are already tired of the Buhari administration.
“Recall that in 2003 while leaving office as governor, Tinubu initially declared for Senate, but at the last minute, he withdrew and gave the ticket to Ganiyu Solomon, who inevitably won.
“So, this is a familiar game for the Jagaban; Osinbajo, as godson, will do well to sustain his loyalty to the godfather,” the source, craving anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the issue, told FirstNews.
While Tinubu and Osinbajo met behind closed doors at the weekend, sources nonetheless disclosed that the VP had come to iron out areas of disagreement on policy moves of the Buhari administration.
A source particularly said President Buhari had charged the VP to use the opportunity of the visit to obtain words of wisdom on how to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.
Also, the source disclosed that “Osinbajo whispered to Tinubu that he is being urged by those close to the President to start preparing for 2023”.
Tinubu was said to have been impressed by Osinbajo’s humility and rededication of loyalty.
However, it was also gathered that some prominent Yoruba traditional rulers had earlier advised Osinbajo to visit Tinubu and sort things out with him, especially regarding the looming clash of political ambition.
The VP followed the advice, Friday.