2023: Osinbajo declares for President

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has formally declared his intention to run for President in 2023.

“I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” he said in his declaration video

His declaration came after a long speculation and a wide consultation over his interest in the 2023 presidential race.

This however, has put him in direct confrontation with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his former boss in Lagos state.

Although Tinubu is yet to officially declare for office, he had in January informed the President of his intention to succeed him.

The Vice President vowed to continue on President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision and complete his promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

“If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am given the opportunity, then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started, radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture, completing the reforms of our justice system; focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observants of the rule of law; rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways, and broadband connectivity, providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive, taking the agriculture revolution to the next level, especially mechanization and developing the farm-to-table value chain; making sure that the government, its agencies, and regulators, serve the business community, creating a tech economy that will provide jobs for millions of young Nigerians; enhancing our social investment programme, to a full-scale social welfare program.”

He vowed to reform the educational sector and bring it into relevance and abreast of the 21st century, and also ensure universal health coverage for all.

Furthermore, he stated that he would strengthen the capacity of the states and the local governments for them to be able to deliver their duties effectively.

“Above all, front and centre of our efforts will be the provision of jobs and opportunities for our young people,” he said.

“I now must solemnly and respectfully seek the support of fellow Nigerians everywhere in this land and the Diaspora, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey that we have ahead of us, seek your own support. We will, working together, establish by the grace of God, the Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors; we will need to move with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation.

“I am convinced beyond doubt we have the creativity, the courage, the talent, and the resources to be the foremost black nation on earth.

“Let us build a Nigeria where the man of Nnewi sees the man in Gusau as his brother, where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister, where the love of our nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls, from Gboko to Yenagoa, where everywhere in this land is home for everyone, where our diversities, our tribes, our faiths unite us rather than divide us. Let our tribe become one tribe, the Nigerian tribe, where all are treated fairly, justly, and with respect, where all her given equal access to the abundant opportunities that God has bestowed on this nation.”