Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Oyo State on Friday as he intensified his search for support ahead of the presidential primaries of the All Progressive Congress.
His meeting with party faithful was held at the Civic Centre, Idi Ape where state chairman of the party, Isaac Omodewu, Sen. Teslim Folarin, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Sen. Babafemi Ojudu and Sen. Ibrahim Balkachuwa, we’re on hand to accompany him.
Osinbajo said his almost eight years in the saddle as the Vice President has placed him in very good stead to continue after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said his experience as vice president had exposed him to governance at the highest level, both nationally and internationally, noting that the opportunity to gather the experience was meant for a time like this in the history of Nigeria.
“Let me begin by congratulating all of us on the very successful completion of the convention of our great party, the All Progressives Congress. I want to thank you for standing firm and strong so that we were able to hold a peaceful convention. I also thank you for your support for President Muhammadu Buhari and our government in Abuja.
“On April 11th, 2022, I, your son, your brother, and your friend, declared my intention to run for President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. I declared my intention to run with the greatest humility.
“I have served in the Federal Government of Nigeria for the past seven years. And in those seven years, I have been involved because the president considered it the right thing to do. In his own generosity and his openness, he gave me every opportunity to serve, including very sensitive international assignments.
“As you know, I also acted as president during certain periods when the president was away on medical vacation. Everything that I learnt as vice president, and everything that I have learnt as acting president, has prepared me to run as president of our country and to function as president of our country.
“God does not make a mistake. The God is deliberate in everything that He does. And by giving all those opportunities, everyone of the opportunities that I have, to see for myself, to understand governance for myself at the highest level of our country’s governance, to be exposed to everything – local and international-at the highest levels of governance in our country.
“All of it was not just that I would sit down and write my memoirs. No. It’s to come handy one day. I believe that time has come and, I have the responsibility to my country. I have the responsibility 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 service I have given, to be able to give it to our country, and to serve our country faithfully, honestly and transparently. That is my intention.
“One advantage I will have is that from day one, I can hit the ground running because I know what it takes.
“Another thing I want to tell you is that in all the important decisions we will make on security, economy and the rest, we will consult at every level,”