18th December, 2014
Jamiu Yisa
Nigerians have hailed the emergence of Pastor Yemi Osinbajo as the running mate of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), describing it as a step in the right direction.
Osinbajo, a law professor and former Attorney-General of Lagos State, western Nigeria, was picked by the APC after an extensive deliberation by party leaders.
The senior pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) sealed the ticket Tuesday night after party bigwigs weighed the various options for the pairing and ruled out a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the party’s presidential contest in 2015.
Senator Gbenga Ashafa described the choice of Prof. Osinbajo as the right one and that his combination with Buhari would offer Nigerians a new lease of life and bring about the change Nigerians yearn so much.
Adeyemi Gbadegesin in his remarks, said: “This is a sophisticated political strategy to douse the embers of religious extremism slammed upon Buhari. But more importantly, it is a clever decision to woo the politically sophisticated, enlightened and vociferous Southwest who Jonathan has relegated to the background in his unwise and blind decision to deal with Obasanjo.
“However, it will be interesting how this decision will translate to concrete political gains for the party. But frankly, with the terrible state of affairs in the country today, the huge disappointment Jonathan’s presidency has turned out to be in the last four years and the general call for change all over the land, the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket may give the PDP a run for their money.”
Orosun Otitoloju said “I think this is a very good calculation for APC. Though all other candidates like Amaechi, Okorocha, Oshiomhole, Fashola, Fayemi, Tinubu are qualified for the post of the VP, considering the polical system in Nigeria, Osinbajo is probably the best candidate for the job and reason being that this is a man that is not popular or known in Nigeria’s politics hence is as good as being a neutral politician.”
According to Chukwu Ebuka, “Osinbajo may be largely unknown, but isn’t it what mainstream Nigerians have been clamouring for? A fresh breath away from all these recycled politicians. We cannot eat our cake and have it. If Buhari had chosen Amaechi, Oshimhole or Fashola, some people would still have raised their objections to the decision.”
Jhorny Megas said Osinbajo will help deepen the rule of law and uphold human rights of Nigerians, adding he will also guide Buhari constitutionally as to how to democratically rule Nigerians.
In his reaction, Charles Aibangbee said “this election should not be about religion or ethnicity, it should be about who has the courage, competency, vision and strategic reasoning to govern Nigeria. We may not like GMB, but if I have to vote in this election, I will hold my nose and vote for Buhari. In times like this, wise men will choose a lesser evil than a more potent one which is embodied in GEJ.”
According to Don Remmy, “yes, this is the time for that change we all have been expecting. Nigerians are now free to either continue with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who arrogantly refused to declare his assets and doesn’t give a damn or these new entrants who had been tested and trusted. There is no sentiment this time around.”
Gbadegesin Rilwan said: “When God says yes, nobody can say no. Project Buhari 2015 is ordained by God and there is nothing any religious bigot could do about it. The movement of the people to the glorious and promised land began last week after APC’s presidential primaries. Don’t be left out.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the APC has also lauded the emergence of Prof. Osinbajo as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party in the coming 14 February, 2015 Presidential Election.
The party said that the choice is like putting a round peg in a round hole and complements the stellar Presidential candidate of APC, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (retd).
In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that with the emergence of Prof. Osinbajo, the change train that will end the harrowing PDP reign of corruption and ineptitude is now complete.
It charges all Nigerians to work to ensure that the 2015 elections herald the needed change Nigerians have been yearning for by rallying round the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.
Lagos APC noted that “coming exactly a week after the completion of the spectacular APC presidential primaries in Lagos, the choice of Osinbajo reflects the demand of Nigerians for a credible, untainted, committed and competent team that will be trusted to end the reign of mediocrity and corruption that has wrecked Nigeria for sixteen horrible years. The choice itself, and the general acceptance, finally puts a seal on those that have desperately been sowing expectations of crisis and division in APC, as a needed tonic for their continued stay in power. Once again, their permutation and evil wishes failed fatally while they are hit by unending crisis and schism arising from their deep seated selfish interests while the APC continues to grow from strength to strength to the glory of the badly ruined Nigerian state.
“Prof. Osinbajo is a deep intellectual, a revered Christian pastor, a revered professor of law, a redoubtable lawyer and a technocrat who complements the stellar records of General Buhari. He will be coming into governance with the wealth of experience he had garnered in the public service as former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, who did creditably well in reforming the justice system in Lagos, to make it a pace setter in judicial dispensation in Nigeria today. His commitment to the return of Nigeria to the path of legality and sanity is legendary and the country will benefit from this.”
According to the party, “while we express our joy and those of other Nigerians in this excellent choice, we urge Nigerians, who have been yearning for change to start working for that change, as this great opportunity has presented itself. We urge Nigerians to start the process of mobilizing the abused, cheated, victimized Nigerians for the great change of 2015 which will rescue Nigeria from the clutches of bad governance, deeply entrenched corruption and cluelessness that have combined to wreck a well endowed country today.
“We congratulate Prof. Osinbajo, our great party and our country on this wonderful masterstroke and present the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket as the panacea for Nigeria’s wobbling state from 2015.”