“You’re a visionary leader”, Governor tells VP
In a display of their admiration and support for his aspiration, Kwara State residents on Monday lined up the streets, all the way from Ilorin airport to welcome Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN to the state.
Osinbajo was in Ilorin, the state capital, in continuation of his consultations and interactions with delegates and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party presidential primary on 30th May.
The boisterous crowds were at the airport, on the streets, at the Emir’s palace and the venue of Osinbajo’s meeting with the delegates, singing, dancing and many bursting out in delighted surprise on citing the VP inside the Coaster bus that conveyed him and the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
At several points, the Vice President’s convoy stopped briefly as he acknowledged cheers from the excited residents and groups displaying banners and showing support, much like in a festive mood.
On his arrival at the state capital, the Osibanjo’s first port of call was to pay courtesy to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari to get the royal blessings and to also formally inform him of his aspiration to run for President in the 2023 elections.
Osinbajo noted that he is running for President because he believed the country needs a leader who has the experience and would be able to get the job done right from day one when sworn in on 29th May 2023.
“Everything that has been given to me by way of knowledge and experience has been given to me by the Grace of God and by the benevolence of this same country that we owe so much. So, this is why I am running for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am mindful of the challenges that we have…, but I believe that the time comes for steadiness in resolving these issues. This is not the time for experimenting”, the presidential aspirant stated.
He also thanked the Emir for his warm hospitality, his counsel and great affection over the years, even as he prayed for long life, peace and prosperity of his kingdom.
While receiving the Vice President, the Emir lauded his credentials saying Osinbajo’s track record is something to be proud of.
According to the Emir, “your track record is enough to give you success”, adding that the Osinbajo has what it takes to do the job. The Emir then prayed for his success, while noting that the aspirant has a lot ahead of him.
“May God guide you and protect you,” the Emir prayed as he encouraged Osinbajo, saying, “we know you can do it”.
The Vice President was accompanied to the Emir’s palace by Governor Abdulrazaq, who had earlier received him, alongside other state government officials, at the Ilorin airport.
Governor Abdulrazaq also praised Osinbajo for his leadership qualities and championing the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, including his role in supervising the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Noting that the SIPs had positively impacted the lives of many Nigerians across the country, the Governor said the Vice President is a man with great vision.
During his interaction with the APC delegates and stakeholders later on, Osinbajo restated that, “today, our country requires some experience (to run), it is not just enough to have capacity. You must also be able to hit the ground running from day one because we don’t have time. Our country now needs everything it can get to make sure that we are able to make progress quickly”.
Osinbajo further stated that “the only reason I am running is to serve this country. And I will be completely transparent and honest. And I will do the work, God helping me, every single day without any other desire but to make sure that our country succeeds”.
The Vice President urged delegates to make their choices with utmost consideration about “the destiny of our children. This is (about) our future”.
His interaction with the delegates and stakeholders featured mainly a question-and-answer session where the Vice President responded to the many questions and comments of the stakeholders.
