On Monday, April 11, Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo officially declared his intention to run in the 2023 presidential election, putting an end to months of speculation.
“I believe that the Almighty God gave me these experiences, insights, and opportunities for the sole purpose of putting them to use for our great country and its great peoples,” he said.
“That is why, with deep humility, I formally declare my intention to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”
After months of intense speculation, he made the announcement in a short broadcast shared via his Twitter handle.
It was previously reported that Osinbajo informed the APC governors of his plans to succeed his boss, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), whose tenure as President ends in 13 months, at a dinner he hosted at the Presidential Villa for the breaking of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) on Sunday.
Osinbajo, 65, is a senior advocate of Nigeria and a former lecturer at the University of Lagos. He also serves as the senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
In 1988, he began his public service as an Adviser (legal advice and litigation) to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bola Ajibola, a position he held for four years.
The Vice-President was appointed Attorney-General of Lagos State by then-Governor Bola Tinubu in 1999 and served in that capacity until 2007, implementing a number of judicial reforms.
In 2014, he was nominated as Buhari’s running mate and was elected alongside Buhari in 2015. Between 2016 and 2018, Osinbajo served as acting President for more than 120 non-consecutive days while his principal was on medical leave in London.
Osinbajo will face former boss Tinubu, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the APC Presidential primary.
Others in the APC who are rumored to be eyeing the presidency include Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, and Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is also a contender.
