3 reasons why Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s favourite leader won't become president, yet - BBC report
Vice president Yemi Osinbajo is probably the most active and cherished VP Nigeria has had since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
At present, Osinbajo is the favourite of many Nigerians. He has been praised for his administrative style which is usually noticeable when situations demand that he act as the acting president - When President Muhammadu Buhari is out of the country on vacation.
Recently, Osinbajo was commended for the decisive actions he took while standing in for President Buhari during the president's just concluded 10-day vacation.
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Within the short period, Osinbajo acted on some of the critical issues bordering the nation: impunity demonstrated by some top government officials and police brutality.
He sacked the former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, for his alleged role in the recent invasion of the National Assembly complex and also ordered the overhaul of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Also, in 2017 when President Buhari went on medical leave, Osinbajo took some far-reaching economic measures to prop up the country's currency, the naira.
There was a scarcity of US dollars at the time, which is needed by importers. So he asked the Central Bank to inject millions of dollars into the market to help stabilise the naira on the foreign-exchange market.
Osinbajo, however, never tries to hog the limelight as he always maintains that he does not take any decision without first consulting President Buhari and getting his approval.
Nevertheless, his style of leadership and governance is winning him fans as he seems to feel the pulse of public opinion, with many asking him to take a shot at the presidency.
Though Osinbajo has never spoken of having presidential ambitions, BBC News in an opinion article states three reasons why the vice president cannot become Nigeria’s president yet.
1. President Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid
President Buhari has already indicated his ambition to seek re-election in February 2019 and has chosen Osinbajo once more as his running mate. Thus, it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that the loyal vice president will consider challenging his boss at the poll.
2. Nigeria's informal policy of rotating the presidency
Nigeria has an informal policy of rotating the presidency, after two terms, between the northern part of the country and the southern part.
President Buhari, a northerner, is just completing his first term. Going by this consideration, Osinbajo, a southerner who was born in Lagos, would, therefore, be an unlikely presidential choice for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
3. The possibility of an opposition victory
With the recent gale of defections and alliances being formed against the ruling APC, there is the possibility of the opposition party returning to power, a development that would further remove the vice president from the corridors of power and reduce his chance of becoming the country’s president any time soon.
All the obstacles notwithstanding, Osinbajo is active enough to bide his time until the next election in 2023, when it might be the turn of a southerner to lead the country.
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Osinbajo, before Buhari's return from vacation, signed into law three bills transmitted by the National Assembly, which are now Acts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nigeria Latest News: Osinbajo Orders Overhaul Of The Dreaded SARS | Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
