Nigeria needs leaders who care about common man, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday declared that Nigeria needs leaders who deeply care about the common man and the progress of the nation.

Osinbajo spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, when he paid a courtesy call on the palace of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Dr. Sen. Lekan Balogun Ali-Iwo Okunmade II, ahead of his interaction with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Oyo State.

On arrival in Ibadan, the Vice President received a rousing reception right from the airport and on the streets by excited residents and people in the state.

At the palace, Osinbajo intimated the monarch of his intention to run for president on the platform of the ruling APC. Later, he interacted with APC party leaders and delegates in the state.

While addressing the delegates, he said: “In the seven years that I have been involved, because the President considered it the right thing to do and, in his generosity, and openness, he gave me every opportunity to serve including sensitive international assignments.

“As you know, I also acted as President during certain periods when the President was away and everything I learnt as acting President has prepared me to run as president of our country.

“God doesn’t make mistakes. God is deliberate in everything He does and by giving me all of these opportunities to understand governance for myself at the highest level of our country, all of it was not just so that I can sit down and write a memoir, no, it was to come handy one day and I believe the time has come.”

“I believe that the time has come and I have the responsibility to my country, to you, to all our children and the coming generations to give all of what I have learnt, everything I have learnt, all of the services to be able to give it to our country. To serve our country faithfully and honestly is my intention.

“One advantage I would have is that on day one, I can hit the ground running because I know what it takes.”

Other speakers at the event including Senator Teslim Folarin, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Chief Jacob Tilley-Gyado and the APC Chairman in Oyo State, Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu all expressed support for the Vice President’s aspiration.

According to Akintola “when it comes to the candidacy of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, there are no factions at all.”

Speaking earlier at the courtesy call on the Olubadan, the Vice President told him: “I have followed you very closely. I think that one of the most important things is that the country needs people, those who have feelings for the common person. The views of the left of centre, people who deeply care about the common man.”

He praised the Olubadan for always being a lover of the common people even before he ascended the throne.

In his remarks, the Olubadan described the Vice President as “a wonderful human being,” adding: “Hopefully, in God’s name, you will be President of Nigeria. May Allah grant you success on what you have in mind; may Allah support you. I can spend the next two hours just praying for you.”