A constitutional lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has slammed a political group over its ultimatum to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to declare his presidential ambition.
Bibian Anekwe News reports that a pro-APC group, National Coalition Group (NCG), had issued a 30-day ultimatum to Osinbajo to officially declare interest to run for the office of the president.
Reacting to the ultimatum in a statement on Wednesday, Ajulo said the vice president does not need an ultimatum from anybody or group to declare interest to join the 2023 presidential race.
The lawyer and Coordinator, Progressive Lawyers for Osinbajo, stated that Osinbajo will make an official declaration at the appropriate time after due consultation with his loyalists and party stakeholders.
He noted that the rumoured ambition of Osinbajo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 is constitutional and non-negotiable.
He said: “It is unpopular speculation that Prof. Osinbajo may not contest as president in 2023. We have even moved beyond the pedestrian stage of thinking if PYO will run or not. It is a prescribed arrangement and we are already preparing for Prof. Osinbajo’s presidency because he represents everything Nigeria deserves at these crucial times.
“Though we all have been expecting, Prof. Osinbajo has not declared because of the magnitude of responsibilities on his desk as the incumbent vice-president, which are huge and very important to national development and cannot be merged with a presidential campaign that demands very much time dedication too. And we shouldn’t expect a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and full Professor of Law to jump the gun, there’s electoral law and guidelines and he mustn’t be found wanting.
For me, this is another evidence of the VP’s unwearying characteristics of a dutiful man who is committed to the law and development of the country, and would not rank it above focusing on seeking a political office, an office of the president for that matter.”
Ajulo berated alleged supporters of Osinbajo for abusing the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on social media.
He claimed that the former Lagos governor is presently consulting and meeting with different stakeholders on behalf of the vice president.
He said: “No genuine supporter of PYO will abuse Asiwaju because of his presidential ambition. He is no novice in this political game. I can boldly say that Asiwaju is strategically working for Vice President Osinbajo, judging by his moves.
“Without any iota of doubt, all the meetings and consultations Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is presently doing will eventually be in favour of Prof. Osinbajo. Asiwaju is so calculative and whoever has been following his political moves lately will understand the gimmick that Asiwaju is out to ensure the 2023 presidency is truly for the southwest.
Osinbajo is Asiwaju’s political creation and no creator will allow such a beautiful and convincing work of his hands fail. Now, and as at last count, there are over 126 professional, cultural, political groups across the country working for Prof. Osinbajo.”
Bibian Anekwe News
