Since Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made his declaration official, a few days ago, many have been wondering those behind the scene working for him. There have been a few big shots in the political and media space who have been proclaiming his ambition before then. These are people who control a considerable number of followers and mentees in their respective areas of Operation. They are also scattered across the country.
One of them is Hafiz Abubakar. Aside from being a politician, Hafiz Abubakar is an academic and a Professor of Nutrition Science at Bayero University, Kano. He was the deputy governor of Kano State between 2015 and 2018. He has a strong network of political influencers scattered across Kano State and the north entirely. In fact, he has been appointed as the National Coordinator of, the Osinbajo Support Organization, OSO for the 2023 Presidential Election. The former Deputy Governor however enumerated the criteria to include Character, Competent and Capability in which he said the vice president has all the qualities and fit for the job.
According to him, “Qualities such as good character, competency and capability among others should form part of criteria Nigerians should look out for in who becomes the next president. And when you talk about all these, Vice President Osinbajo possesses all the criteria.
Another key supporter of Osinbajo who has been working underground before his declaration is Special Adviser on Politics to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu. Against all criticism, Senator Ojudu has stood his ground from day one that he will only support the Vice President in the forthcoming presidential elections. Ojudu stressed that Osinbajo had the tendency not to steal Nigeria’s funds if elected President. According to Ojudu, Osinbajo is committed to making Nigeria a better place.
He said: “If I support Osinbajo, he deserves to be supported. I see the way he works, day and night, committed, not asking for things for himself, committed to the people, committed to Nigeria and well educated.
“He can stand anywhere in the world, comfortable with the young and the old, conformable with new technology and always coming out with solutions to problems. I mean, it doesn’t cost me anything to align with such a person.”
Laolu Akande has been a constant protagonist of VP Osinbajo’s matchless efficiency in the current administration. He is a veteran journalist and currently serves as the Spokesperson of the Vice President. He has been making sure that the narrative of Osinbajo’s presidential ambition does not fall out of the ambit of reason and political ethic. He controls what the media should see and know from within the Osinbajo’s camp.
Media guru and social activist, Richard Akinnola is a resolute and articulate crusader. He was the Editor of the Vanguard Newspaper and is an Executive Director of the Centre for Free Speech Organisation. He shares enviable history with the VP Osinbajo and their age-long friendship outweighs any issue of political interest. Supporting Osinbajo’s presidential bid, therefore, comes naturally, and it would have been so odd for him to have decided otherwise. He has been pushing the Osinbajo cause constructively and convincingly on his social media handles.
Mr Ifeolu Fasoranti is the director-general of one of VP Osinbajo’s campaign groups. He was the one who launched the group in Ondo State. Ifeolu Fasoranti maintained that the vice president would turn around the socio-economic and political situations of the country if he was given the opportunity by the electorate.
He added that as a President, Prof Osinbajo will harness all the resources and rejig the system to work towards the interest of Nigeria rather than the interest of individuals. Fasoranti is the Chief Executive Officer at CRYSTAL AMUSEMENTS LIMITED.
Dr Kayode Ajulo, is a constitutional lawyer and currently serving as the Coordinator of the Progressive Lawyers For Osinbajo. He was once quoted to have said that Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration to run for President in 2023 is non-negotiable.
He once said Osinbajo Presidency is the greatest legacy Pres. Buhari can begwealth to Nigerians.
The Mayegun, Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland who spoke to City People recently on why he is backing VP Osinbajo in his presidential ambition stated:
“There are 3 ways a man can attain Greatness. It’s either you are born into greatness or greatness is tossed upon you or you achieve greatness. I may not know much about the pedigree of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and whether he was born into Greatness. But it is glaring he has achieved Greatness. Not only that, Greatness was tossed upon him. He was nominated as the Vice President of Nigeria and in the last 7 years, he has done well.
In the history of Nigeria, he’s the only Vice President you never hear has any issue with his boss. Apart from that, the little opportunity given to him, we can see how he used that opportunity to the admiration of all.” “Nigeria needs a leader who is competent. Nigeria needs a smart leader. Prof Osinbajo is the kind of leader we need in Nigeria and I’m so convinced that if he’s given the chance, he will move Nigeria forward.” He added.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Ade Ipaye is another loyal supporter of VP Osinbajo. Mr Ipaye was a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State. He currently works at the Office of the Vice President.
Just as Osinbajo, Ipaye was a lecturer before Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought them out of the classroom. He rose to the position of a senior lecturer on October 1999 and later became the sub-dean of the faculty of law in October 2000. In May 2001 he was appointed Special Assistant to Bola Tinubu on Legal Affairs and in 2003 he became the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters.
He served in that capacity for 4 years until he was appointed Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue to Babatunde Fashola who succeeded Bola Tinubu in 2007. In May 2007, he was appointed Attorney General. On 3 September 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ade Ipaye as Deputy Chief of Staff in his cabinet.
