26/01/2022
There's trouble between Osinbajo, Tinubu and Yoruba elders must intervene — popular lawyer warns
The 2023 presidential election has caused may have caused rift between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This is according to constitutional lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo.
Tinubu recently said he has told President Muhammadu Buhari he wants to run for office in 2023.
Although Osinbajo who is seen as Tinubu's protégé is yet to signify interest, observers speculate that he will move to succeed his boss, Buhari.
Ajulo says these political ambitions may have damaged the relationship between Tinubu and Osinbajo.
The lawyer called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Awujale of Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Adetona; the Alake of Egba, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams; the Anglican Church’s Bishop Gbonigi; Pa Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere, and other prominent Yoruba leaders to call a conference to resolve the political battle.
He said a strategic stakeholders meeting must be held by the leaders, including past and present day governors for the interest of the region and the betterment of the nation at large towards the 2023 presidential election.
The senior lawyer is of the opinion that the developing political battle between the two camps may lead to a crisis that may serve as a clog in the wheel of the region from producing the next president.
“It will be unfortunate for the southwest to blow this chance of a lifetime to further reposition Nigeria towards the path of progress,” he said.
He, however, noted that Osinbajo is best positioned to take over from Buhari in 2023, calling on Tinubu to instead of battling the position with his loyalist, support the vice president.