By: Ahmad Abdullahi

In a few days time, political parties in the country would have concluded all the rituals of producing candidates that will represent them in the 2023 general presidential elections. This election season has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of aspirants who want to take the country’s number one top job. While many are contenders, there are many who are pretenders, and a host of others are just bystanders.

It has been reported that over twenty-five people have purchased the presidential nomination forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The major ones among them include the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, erstwhile transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi, former President Good luck Jonathan, a host of state governors and of course the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The calibre of the contestants suggest that it will be very difficult if not impossible to achieve consensus in favour of any candidate. It is therefore highly likely that Nigerians are going to witness one of the most hotly contested primary elections in this 4th Republic. As the country is battling with so many challenges, citizens will be hoping that the right and best candidate emerge from APC as it stands the best position to clinch power at the national level. As all eyes will be on the delegates in few days, the question is therefore, who represents the best option at the moment.

To be honest, many candidates that have expressed interest so far have good political credentials and prerequisite experience to lead the country. We have had presidents in the past who were probably not as good as some of theses candidates. However, a among the best, we have the very best. This is why, the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is head and shoulders above his co-contestants.

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While going into the contest, Nigerians and particularly the APC delegates should note that the Vice President is the first and only Professor to become President or Vice President in Nigeria and has so far adequately demonstrated why the most educated among us need to be allowed to serve at the highest level. He is the one who has supervised and presided over the initiation and implementation of the largest Social Investment Programme in the history of Contemporary Africa. Irrespective of the challenges, this programme has been a huge success and signpost achievement for the Buhari administration.

Yes, under normal circumstances nobody will attempt to aspire for president of a country if he is not soundly educated and experienced. Among the lots, Yemi Osinbajo is the undoubtedly the most adequately educated and professionally inclined Presidential hopeful among the very top living Nigerians today. This should give him an edge over other aspirants.

The law professor has spent seven solid years serving Nigerians and the President with uncommon patience, dedication and humility. He has never disappointed on any task assigned to him. Nigeria’s major problem being basically that of justice, law and order, he is the foremost elite with the best understanding of the needed legal and judicial reforms to turnaround the fortunes and future of the country.

Osinbajo is the man who understands all the successes of this administration and is in a better position to build on them, and also the man who understands all its shortcomings and is in a better position to make up for them. As one of the brains behind the APC Manifesto at the party’s inception and its operationalization in government as VP, Osinbajo is in the best position to consolidate its implementation as President.

Unlike many Presidential hopefuls who are planning to run from regional, religious, political and selfish motivations, the VP plans to become a true Nigerian candidate and a president for all Nigerians. As Acting President, he made one of the most diplomatic and yet authoritative efforts to save Nigeria from untimely disintegration. He brought together all political, traditional and professional stakeholders in Aso Rock to further boost their confidence in the Nigerian Project.

In his tour of the 36 states to campaign for delegates votes and stakeholders support, he has always been close to his tablet. He listens passionately, digests carefully and records almost everything himself in the device. This shows his level of commitment which is quite exceptional.

It wouldve been a very big political injustice if the Vice President had been bullied out of the Presidential race for some parochial unsubstantial reasons. It wouldve been a case of the best contender being intimidated out because he couldnt be beaten on competent grounds. He is prepared for the job and will make a good president. The initiative now lies with the APC Delegates who will be the deciders. Once they stand on the part of patriotism and do their part, Nigerians will complete the job early next year.

The writer is the Team Lead of the Osinbajo-Face of Hope Project.

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