Governor Dapo Abiodun, has declared openly that he and the people of Ogun state would give their support to the presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to enable him continue with some of the laudable projects of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
He stated this today while receiving the Vice President at a stakeholders meeting held at the Akarigbo Palace Sagamu, the Alake Palace in Abeokuta and the Presidential Lodge, Ibara, Abeokuta, as well as the Palace of Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland.
Abiodun said Osinbajo, in the last seven years, has contributed immensely to the many successes recorded by the federal government, noting that he “is eminently qualified to lead the country”.
In his words Governor Abiodun said “the Vice President presence here is homecoming. We are pleased with his decision to run for the office of the president. He is competent and committed to leading the country in a higher capacity.
“Your steadfastness, integrity and character are all well known. You are serving this country and the president meritoriously for the last seven years as the vice president. We have no doubt that you will do well as the president and we will support you,” Abiodun stated.
The governor, who extolled the VP’s academic exploits and recalled how he stood behind his gubernatorial election described him as a man who is interested in fairness, justice, equity and the Rule of Law.
Responding, Osinbajo said he was not in the state to campaign, but to inform his people of his intention to run for the office of the president.
He said he had consulted widely across all sections of the society, including President Muhammadu Buhari before he threw his hat into the ring to succeed his boss.
Recounting his contributions to the present federal government, Osinbajo said he was actively involved in the Nation's judicial reforms and its repositioning to work optimally and ensure that judges were adequately enumerated.
He said his working with Buhari had exposed him to governance at the highest level and placed him in a position to tackle serious issues concerning the economy and security, among others.
“The Vice President's position is an opportunity to serve and I have served with utmost loyalty. I put everything into my work. I am a candidate who will hit the ground running when I am elected.
“I have the requisite knowledge to do the job and build on what others have put in place. My presidency will bring peace, unity and development to the country”, the VP said.
“After all I have learnt if called upon to serve the nation, should I say No? I have decided that I will run for the office. I have sworn an oath to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an oath to our people, our children and the future of Nigeria. I owe nobody else any allegiance outside the oath,” he added.
Osinbajo, who commended the Abiodun-led administration for the giant strides it has recorded in the last three years, expressed hope that his quest to lead the country would be fruitful.
The Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, in his remarks, posited that the vice president was competent with the required qualification to lead the nation, stressing that his performance as the acting president was there for all to see.
Speaking on the ambition of the Vice President, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, attested to the competence of Osinbajo, saying: “the vice president has paid his dues and is eminently qualified to succeed as President.
