Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that he learnt of his nomination for the slot of the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari from the then Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola in the thick of the intrigues for the choice of candidates ahead of the 2015 elections.
Osinbajo was speaking Wednesday evening at an Iftar hosted at his Aguda House residence in the presidential villa.
According to him, “I was working on the case at Peniel Apartments in Abuja on December 18, 2014, when at about 1 a.m. in the morning, I received a call from Rauf Aregbesola that they were coming to Lagos to pick me.
“I said I was in Abuja. He said ‘good because you have been nominated as the vice-presidential candidate’ and I said is that how you nominate people.”
Osinbajo said Ogbeni Aregbesola, and former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, later in the day took him to the presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
He said he has, prior to and after he declared to run for president, met with various groups including governors, delegates and party leaders. He, however, said the Iftar with the journalists is the first one he is holding with a group that will not vote at the party primaries.
Professor Osinbajo drew laughter from his audience when he said: “I am probably meeting you for your financial contribution.”
“I don’t know why you think it’s a joke,” he said, drawing more laughter from the press corps member.