During his meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari provided yet another hint that he has settled on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to succeed him, as the governing APC sets out its stall ahead of its June 6 presidential primary contest.
The president reminded the governors in unmistakable terms that in their respective states, deputies are sometimes promoted to succeed incumbents and first term governors are given a clean bill of health to annex another term in office on a platter.
The carefully crafted remarks from President Buhari left no one in the room in doubt.
The powerful state governors who decide in which way delegates vote at elective conventions, listened with rapt attention and nodded in agreement.
Across the room, you could have heard a pin drop as some governors forced knowing smiles.
The president was essentially saying to the governors: ‘one good turn deserves another’ or ‘it’s time to return the favour.’
Buhari told the governors that; “In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans even at the state and local government levels.
“For example, first term Governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for re-election. Similarly, second term Governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.
“In a few days, the party will be holding its convention during which primaries would take place to pick the presidential flag-bearer for the 2023 general elections.
“This is a very significant process and its outcome should prove to the world, the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.”
The president added that he wants everyone’s interest in the APC to coalesce at the end of the day, in a rancour-free atmosphere.
“As we approach the convention, I appeal to all of you to allow our interests to converge, our focus to remain on the changing dynamics of our environment, the expectations of our citizens and the global community.
“Our objective must be the victory of our party and our choice of candidate must be someone who would give the Nigerian masses a sense of victory and confidence even before the elections.
“In keeping with the established internal policies of the party and as we approach the convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
“I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention. This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger.
“I thank you all for listening. God bless you all. God bless our party, the APC and God bless our nation, Nigeria,” Buhari added.
Quest Times had earlier reported that Buhari may have settled for Osinbajo, who has served as his deputy since 2015, to succeed him and continue with his projects and policies.
“The president wants his legacy protected and wants some of his uncompleted projects finished in due course. And the only man who can guarantee that among the aspirants is Osinbajo who he’s had a harmonious working relationship with for all of seven years,” a high ranking official in Nigeria’s Presidency corridors, squealed to Quest Times on condition of anonymity.
In January, President Buhari told the world that he won’t be going public with his choice of successor just yet because that person could be eliminated.
The winner of the APC presidential contest would square up to Atiku Abubakar of the opposition PDP and more than a dozen other presidential aspirants from other political parties.