The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are among the top politicians many Nigerians are hoping they would contest for President in 2023....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
However, the whole thing has been riddled with suspense. Both politicians have not openly declared whether they would contest for President or not. However, two things keep happening despite their silence or non-declaration for the top job.
One, their various support groups have kept the tempo high in mobilizing for them across various parts of the country. The two politicians have their loyalists and support groups doing the leg work for them ahead of time wile demanding that they should contest for President with a view to taking over power from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Two, the two politicians have kept on getting endorsements from key individuals and groups to contest for President. The latest for Osinbajo was the fact that former military head of state, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, endorsed him for the post. As for Tinubu, different groups including some lawmakers, traditional rulers in Lagos and others have endorsed him. What is left is for them to declare whether they would contest for President or not.
Who will state his stand first?
It is more like Nigerians are waiting to see who will declare first between Tinubu and Osinbajo. The two men have been waiting and seeking to do so at ”the right time”. While the wait lingers, whoever declares his stand first may bail the cat in this game of silence.
From all indications, it appears that there is a known time when Tinubu may declare whether he would contest for President or not. That time is January 2022. This was made known by his top ally and loyalist, Babatunde Fashola who is the current Minister of Works and Housing. Fashola disclosed that Tinubu has not told him whether he would contest for President or not but the APC Leader would state his stand on the issue in January 2022. At least, many Nigerians know when Tinubu may state his stand on the issue of 2023 Presidency. January 2022 is around the corner already. It is barely a week from now.
What of Osinabjo? That is the big question. The last time he simply distanced himself from talks about plans to replace Buhari as President adding that it is too early to talk about that. He added that his focus is to assist President Buhari in ruling the country. Could Osinbajo be tactically waiting for Tinubu to lead the way? Is he truly interested in contesting for President or he would give way for his political mentor to go if Tinubu decides to run?
Will Osinbajo summon the courage to run against Tinubu at the end? All these are key questions popping up. Well, if Osinbajo does not declare his stand earlier, he would surely tell Nigerians whether or not he would contest for the post before the election itself. But, it seems that Tinubu may state his stand first since there is a known time when he would say whether he will contest for President or not.
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