By YETUNDE FATUNGASE

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Tuesday, declared the state’s support for the presidential ambition of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Abiodun said that this would enable him to continue with some of the laudable projects embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

The governor made the pledge at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu, where he said Osinbajo had in the last seven years, contributed to many successes recorded by the Federal Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders’ meeting continued at the Alake’s Palace in Abeokuta, the Presidential Lodge, Ibara, Abeokuta, as well as the Palace of Olu of Ilaro the Paramount ruler of Yewaland.

“The vice president’s presence here is home coming. We are pleased with his decision to run for the office of the president. He is competent and committed to lead the country in a higher capacity.

“Your steadfastness, integrity and character are all well known. You are serving this country and the president meritoriously for the last seven years as the vice president.

“We have no doubt that you will do well as the president and we will support you,” Abiodun said.

The governor, while extolling the vice president’s academic exploit, recalled how he stood behind his gubernatorial election, describing him as “a man who is interested in fairness, justice, equity and the rule of law”.

In his remarks, the vice president said he was not in the state to campaign, but to inform his people of his intention to run for the office of the president.

Osinbajo said he had consulted widely across all sections of the society, including with President Muhammadu Buhari before he threw his hat into the ring to succeed his boss.

Making a flashback to his contributions to the present Federal Government, Osinbajo said he was actively involved in the judiciary reforms and its repositioning to work optimally, and ensure that judges are adequately enumerated.

He said his working with President Buhari had exposed him to governance at the highest level and placed him in a position to tackle serious issues concerning economy, security, among others.

“The vice president’s position is an opportunity to serve and I have served with utmost loyalty.

“I put everything into my work. I am a candidate who will hit the ground running when I am elected.

“I have the requisite knowledge to do the job and building on what others have put in place. My presidency will bring peace, unity and development to the country.

“After all I have learnt, if called upon to serve the nation, should I say No? I have decided that I will run for the office. I have sworn an oath to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is an oath to our people, our children and the future of Nigeria. I owe nobody else any allegiance outside the oath,” Osinbajo declared.

He, however, commended the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun for the giant strides it has recorded in the last three years, expressing hope that his quest to lead the country would be fruitful.

Commenting, the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said that the vice president was competent with the required qualification to lead the nation.

Ajayi said that his performance as the acting president was there for all to see.

On Osinbajo’s ambition, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, attested to his competence.

According to Gbadebo, the vice president has paid his dues and is eminently qualified to succeed as president.

“I want to pray that you will come back to this palace as a president and Nigeria will gain tremendously under your watch,” the Alake said. (NAN)

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