Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said holding the position and at some point Acting President in the past seven years is like a training to be President.
His aide, Laolu Akande satted that Osinbajo said this on Monday at the palace of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, while on a visit to Ondo State.
According to Akande in a statement, the monarch prayed for the VP’s success in attaining his objective, noting that, “had it been it were in advanced countries, in all of the APC, nobody would run (for president), they would all just support you.”
On why he’s motivated to run for President, Osinbajo said “as we approach the coming elections, it is a time also for us to reflect on the type of leadership that we want for our country.
“I have served for the past seven years as the Vice President of Nigeria, and I have also acted within that period when the President was away. I think that I am fortunate, and we are fortunate to have been given tremendous opportunities to serve, also even when I acted (as President).
“In that capacity, I am probably the only person trained to be (in that duration), because if you have been a Vice President and also as Acting President, then you have been trained, and I must say with utmost humility – that that is exactly how I feel.”
Continuing, he said, “I feel that with what God has given me within the past seven and half years, I must be able to give to my country. People die for this country every day; there are young men and women, soldiers who die for this country every day. That is the greatest act of loyalty that one can have for one’s country. Those of us whom God has given some opportunities to serve must be prepared to offer that service whenever we are called upon to do so.
“Which is why I declared my intention to run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I want to say that I am grateful to God; and I am grateful to you for all your support, advice and counseling in the past.”
The Vice President had earlier spokes during a meeting in Akure with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, members of the State House of Assembly, State Executive Council members and the APC leaders in Ondo State.
“In those capacities as VP and acting president in particular, I got to know so many things that many people would never have ever have come across, and I gained a lot of experience on that account. Now, the opportunity has come,” Osinbajo stated.
He continued, “With the experience I have, with all the contacts and connections that I have made, nationally and internationally, I think that it would be a betrayal to our country, to our nation… with all that has been given to me by the grace of God, with all of my experience, to say that, oh, I will now retire quietly either to Lagos or Ikenne, and go and be writing my memoirs; it would be a grave injustice to our country.
“That is why I decided to pour my heart into it, and ensure that I make up this case for the position of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I believe that with God helping, if God gives us the opportunity, and the will of the people also, that will be the case, God will make it happen; I will have the opportunity to give this nation the very best that I can give, with all of our hearts, in everything that we can, with sincerity, openness and transparency. That is the desire of my heart.”
