Monday’s declaration by Asiwaju BolaTinubu, former Lagos State governor, that he will run for the presidency in 2023 on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not deter Vice President Yemi Osinbajo from also contesting, Daily Independent gathered.
Speaking with Daily Independent on Tuesday, an aide of vice president said his principal is “very much interested in vying for the number one office in the country”.
He, however, said unlike Tinubu, the APC national leader who went to President Muhammadu Buhari to inform him of his intention to contest for the presidency in 2023, Osinbajo is waiting for directives from President Buhari, who is the leader of the APC, on the way forward for the 2023 presidential election.
The source, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, added that the vice president enjoys a lot of goodwill from Nigerians who believe that he is the best candidate who can sustain the legacies of the present administration and even do things better.
He said those claiming that Tinubu beat Osinbajo by declaring for the presidency were wrong because “the vice president has no declaration to make unless authorised by the president.
“The vice president is very much interested in contesting. From what we have seen, many Nigerians, including key figures in the political and corporate world, believe that he is the best to succeed President Buhari.
“I know the impression many people have is that because his benefactor, Asiwaju has declared interest to run, the vice president will perish his ambition. But that is not true…