Table of Contents
- Support for Osinbajo's Ambition
- Discussions Between Buhari and Osinbajo
- Counterclaims to Omole's Biography
Former presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu, has revealed that the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari endorsed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s presidential aspirations in 2022.
Ojudu, who served as Buhari’s Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, mentioned that Osinbajo discussed his presidential ambitions with the ex-President on four separate occasions.
He made this disclosure while criticizing assertions made by Charles Omole, the author of Buhari’s biography, ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’.
In the biography, Omole claimed that Buhari did not support Osinbajo’s ambition to succeed him in 2022 because he was unfamiliar with him.
The book suggested that Buhari was indifferent regarding Osinbajo's desire to run against the current President, Bola Tinubu, due to their political ties.
It quoted Buhari as stating: “I don’t know Osinbajo from anywhere; I met him only through Tinubu.”
In response to the claims made in the book, Ojudu revealed that during one of his meetings with Osinbajo, Buhari referred to him as “by far the best person for the job.”
In a statement he released, Ojudu stated: “The issue of whether Vice President Osinbajo should run for President was discussed directly and personally between him and President Muhammadu Buhari on no fewer than four distinct occasions.
“On each of these occasions, President Buhari conveyed clear and unequivocal support for the Vice President’s ambition.
“At no point, either explicitly or implicitly, did President Buhari suggest that Professor Osinbajo should refrain from running.
“At no time did he express a preference for the Vice President to defer to, step aside for, or subordinate his ambitions to any other candidate, including the eventual party nominee.
“During their first meeting, President Buhari advised the Vice President to carefully consider the prospects of a presidential run, make a decision, and assured him that he would support whatever choice he made.
“By their third discussion, President Buhari went further, stating plainly that in his considered opinion, Professor Osinbajo was by far the best candidate for the position.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Muhammadu Buhari support Yemi Osinbajo's presidential ambitions?
Yes, former presidential aide Babafemi Ojudu stated that Buhari supported Osinbajo’s ambitions and discussed this with him on multiple occasions.
What did Omole's biography claim about Buhari's stance on Osinbajo?
Omole's biography claimed that Buhari did not support Osinbajo because he was not familiar with him, suggesting that Buhari was indifferent to Osinbajo's candidacy.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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