A group under the auspices of Movement For Better Nigeria, MFBN has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to name his Vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo as a consensus candidate for the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election which will be held between June 6-8.
It stressed that Osinbajo has the capacity and charisma that would overshadow the presidential flag bearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at the 2023 general elections.
The Coordinator of the group, Dr Paul Dowells who stated this on Saturday during a press conference said there is no time the president can reward prof. Osinbajo for his steadfastness and hard work for this administration than now by making him the presidential flag bearer.
He noted that which ever way the party chooses in nominating its candidate, the process should be free and fair and not to be based on who shares more money to delegates at the venue.
Dowells who expressed confidence in President Buhari’s sense of judgement said he should not be overwhelmed by pressure from some quarters rather focus on an individual that would take Nigeria to a higher height even as he explained that his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo fits into that category.
He, therefore, warned that failure of Mr President to heed to their plea will leave them with no option than to withdraw their support from the APC.
The statement in parts, “As the call for President Muhammadu Buhari to name his preferred successor after 2023 intensifies; we, members of Movement For Better Nigeria, MFBN wish to state in clear terms that a tested and trusted man of charisma should be considered.
“We all know that the succession plan of every administration is as important as the administration itself, therefore as a group, poised to see a better Nigeria and ensure the sustainability of the giant strides of President Buhari led administration, we call on Mr President not to yield to pressure from some quarters to choose a candidate who does not have the capacity to lead the nation to it’s desired destination or choose out of sentiments.
“As a group we want Mr President to ensure that which ever way the party chooses to nominate it’s candidate either through consensus or direct primaries; nobody should be allowed to use money and resources to mesmerize the delegates which abet the corruption that his administration is known to fight against. The primaries should be a free, fair and credible.
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“The president should consider the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as his successor following his leadership qualities, loyalty and love to the present administration as exemplified during his temporary stay as the Acting President of Nigeria.
“We are confident of the president’s sagacity and sense of judgement because Prof. Osinbajo as Nigeria’s Acting President has gained some good popularity among the Nigerian people and for the APC to sustain it’s power, it MUST field a credible and refined candidate who will be able to contend with the opposition PDP and ensure that victory is gotten.”
Dowells therefore called on Aspirants from the northern part of Nigeria to support the South noting that one good turn deserves another.
In corroboration, another member of the Group, Hon Yagana Abba said Osinbajo has a blueprint to end insecurity currently plaguing Nigeria and only requires a platform to implement those ideas.