As the contest for All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential ticket tightens, former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, might leave the party if he fails to clinch the ticket, reliable sources close to the APC national leader have confided in POLITICS NIGERIA.
This newspaper had reported the declaration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo contained in a video clip that has been making the rounds on social media since the early hours of Monday.
Osinbajo, after months of speculations, rumours and sponsored advertisement, opened up on his desire to succeed his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2023.
“I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, and these opportunities, is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great peoples.
“Which is why I am today, with utmost humility, formally declaring my intention to run for the Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,” he said.
Osinbajo was a former Attorney General of Lagos state and Commissioner for Justice while Tinubu served as the state Governor and a pivotal member of the Tinubu’s dynasty. However, the controversial declaration, according to feelers in Bourdillon, has rattled Tinubu and the former Governor is making plans to exit the party should he lose at the primaries.
“Baba didn’t expect that Osinbajo would make the declaration at that time. Even though reports were getting to Tinubu about Osinbajo’s rumoured ambition, everyone here thought the whole publicity stunt would die down,” a source stated.
Another source stated that while Tinubu is ready to slug it out with any aspirant at the primaries, he won’t hesitate to leave the party if the outcome of the election does not favour him.
“Where we are going next after that, we don’t know but that is the plan B,” he revealed.
A few months ago, Tinubu announced his intent to run for the office during a visit to the Aso Villa.
Asked what the response of the president was to his ambition, the former two-time Lagos State governor replied, “That’s our business. He is a democrat. He didn’t ask me to stop. He didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition, which is a lifelong ambition.
“So, why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. That’s it.”
The APC leader stated, “I don’t want to discuss individuals now. I must discuss myself. I have the confidence, the vision, the capacity to rule, build on the foundation of Mr. President, and turn Nigeria better. I’ve done that with commitment, you know, in Lagos State. You’ve seen that experience and the capacity to turn things around and that is what we are doing.”
Analysts have told POLITICS NIGERIA that having two candidates from the same political base might affect the chances of both Tinubu and Osinbajo.
