Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has fired back at critics, stating that his allegiance is to Nigeria and no one else.
Osinbajo made the statement in Ogun State on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, when he met with traditional rulers, official dignitaries, leaders of thought and state delegates as he seeks to become the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections.
Supporters of the National Leader of the APC and frontline presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu have accused Osinbajo of betrayal following his declaration to aspire for the Presidency in 2023.
Speaking to his followers, Osinbajo stated that he has served all his superiors with loyalty, sometimes to his detriment. Stating that his tenure as Vice President has given him the needed experience to excel as President.
Osinbajo said, “After all I have learnt, if called upon to serve the nation, should I say no? I have decided that I will run for the office,” he said.
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“I have sworn an oath to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an oath to our people; our children and the future of Nigeria. I owe nobody else any allegiance outside the oath.
“After I was appointed as vice-president, I had the unique opportunity of serving under President Muhammadu Buhari, who exposed me to practically every aspect of governance. He exposed me to various things in government, and I had the opportunity to serve as acting president on several occasions,” he said.
“I know that governing at a high level requires some experience. And after a period of seven-and-a-half years of working as vice-president, seeing what many people have never seen, being able to participate at both local and international levels of governance, I know that God didn’t provide those opportunities simply so that I’ll go and sit down and write my memoir.
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“No. God does not make mistakes. He provided those opportunities such that one day, I will be called upon to serve in a higher capacity — to serve as president.
“The opportunity to do so is an important one. And let nobody tell us any stories. The truth of the matter is that everywhere where I have served, I’ve served with utmost loyalty, and commitment. I have put my reputation on the line — sometimes, even life. There is nowhere that those I served will not say I put in everything to make sure they succeed.
Osinbajo further stated that he is the best candidate among the pool of aspirants in the running for the Presidency, saying he will hit the ground running.
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“With utmost humility, it is now evident that if there is anybody, any candidate, or aspirant, who on day one can hit the ground running, who on day one knows what to do, who will not spend another two years trying to decide what to do, that person is your son, Oluyemi Osinbajo. That is the objective truth.
“So, I want to say to you, that the opportunity that has come to me, that has come to you as brothers and sisters from Remo, is one we should approach diligently, with commitment and prayers.
“If God allows, it will be a great thing indeed for Remo, Ogun state, our country. I believe I have what is required at this time to serve this nation and ensure that we are able to give this country the best leadership.
“Let nobody confuse us. We can only have one son in Remo. And he is the one you are looking at now.”
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Dapo Abiodun also described Prof. Osinbajo as an illustrious son of Remoland, Ogun State and Nigeria, noting that many can attest to the VP’s loyalty, steadfastness, sincerity, humility, character and integrity.
Assuring the VP of his support and that of the people of the state, Governor Abiodun thanked the Vice President for his support “in the course of our journey to the statehouse.”
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the people, the government of your home state, we are indeed very grateful for all that you did to ensure that there was fairness, equity, and a level playing field in that contest that saw us to the government house. God gave us the glory, God gave us the victory despite all odds,” the governor recalled.
He further stated that the VP’s treasure trove of experiences in government and the private sector speaks for itself.
Governor Abiodun noted that “if becoming the president is by qualification, you will earn it, you are in office today, as the vice president of Nigeria, you’ve served your boss meritoriously… and you have demonstrated capacity and capability. If the presidency is by the way of an award, we will just gather here today and we will award it to you.
“Your Excellency, you are a good man. We will be with you, we will stand with you, we will stand by you, we will give you that support, we will not betray you for you have stood with us and God will stand by you,” the governor also prayed.