At 7 am on Monday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo joined the 2023 presidential race.
His public declaration came after months of speculation over his candidacy.
In his declaration video which was posted online, the VP commended President Muhammadu Buhari as a ‘’ true Nigerian patriot’’.
Professor Osinbajo also outlined some key areas where he has served the government as vice president, pointing out that he had gathered the necessary experience over the last seven years to lead Nigeria.
He also said he intends to continue from where his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari stopped. This has sparked negative reactions from Nigerians who are showing their dissatisfaction using the hashtag#Osibajodeclares, that has dominated the social media space for many hours.
A former presidential aide @Renoomokri tweeted, ‘’Osinbajo’s declaration speech was watery. He says he is running to “complete the task” that Buhari started! Buhari started extreme poverty and overwhelming security for Nigeria. If Osinbajo is running to “complete” that task, then he is running to destroy Nigeria!’’
Osinbajo’s declaration speech was watery. He says he is running to “complete the task” that Buhari started! Buhari stated extreme poverty and overwhelming security for Nigeria. If Osinbajo is running to “complete” that task, then he is running to destroy Nigeria!#TableShaker
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) April 11, 2022
According to @savvyrinu, “They want to separate Osinbajo from Buhari’s failure. But Pst Osinbajo himself is praising the President’s failures and wants to continue from where he left. Even God will be flabbergasted at this stage 😁’’
They want to separate Osinbajo from Buhari’s failure.
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) April 11, 2022
But Pst Osinbajo himself is praising the President’s failures and want to continue from where he left.
Even God will be flabbergasted at this stage 😁
@lemideofficial tweeted, ‘’Osinbajo really used the problems he and his partner in crime caused to campaign to us. 🤡 God Abeg send a savior’’
Osinbajo really used the problems he and his partner in crime caused to campaign to us. 🤡 God Abeg send a savior
— Lemi Living 🌍 (@lemideofficial) April 11, 2022
Another user, @sir_balemoh had this to say, ‘’Osinbajo has led the National Economic Council for 7years. Within that period,
- Unemployment rose from 9% to 33%
- Inflation from 9% to 25%
- Dollar from N197 to N580
- Fuel from N87 - N162/litre
- GDP declined by $41 Billion
If you like vote him. Na your body go tell you.’’
Osinbajo has led the National Economic Council for 7years. Within that period,
— Ambassador (@sir_balemoh) April 11, 2022
- Unemployment rose from 9% to 33%
- Inflation from 9% to 25%
- Dollar from N197 to N580
- Fuel from N87 - N162/litre
- GDP declined by $41 Billion
If you like vote him. Na your body go tell you.
@Sirwilliam tweeted likewise, ‘’Under Yemi Osinbajo's Vice Presidency:
1. Nigerian unemployment rose from 9% to 33%
2. Violent killings increased 47% from 7063 in 2020 to 10,366 in 2021.
3. GDP per capita dropped 40% and Debt service to over 90% of revenue.
If you like, elect him..’’
Under Yemi Osinbajo's Vice Presidency:
— William (@_SirWilliam_) April 11, 2022
1. Nigerian unemployment rose from 9% to 33%
2. Violent killings increased 47% from 7063 in 2020 to 10,366 in 2021.
3. GDP per capita dropped 40% and Debt service to over 90% of revenue.
If you like, elect him.. https://t.co/f0t18xqson
Praise for Osinbajo
As much as he had those who did not support his presidential ambition, there were other persons who believe the VP is the best president for Nigeria.
@sexyomotee22
“Osinbajo has experience
Osinbajo is intelligent
Osinbajo is responsive
Osinbajo is hardworking
Osinbajo cares
Osinbajo is friend to all
#OsinbajoIsMyChoice
#2023IsForOsinbajo’’
Osinbajo has experience
— Princess Omotayo (@SexyOmotee22) April 10, 2022
Osinbajo is intelligent
Osinbajo is responsive
Osinbajo is hardworking
Osinbajo cares
Osinbajo is friend to all#OsinbajoIsMyChoice #2023IsForOsinbajo pic.twitter.com/6EgO1t3JNH
@SarkiAbdulwahab
“The few days VP Osinbajo was fully in charge, he took drastic actions, which demonstrated his courage and determination to put things right without fear or favour. Till today, those actions have set him against a group. Now that is what we need! #OsinbajoDeclares’’
The few days VP Osinbajo was fully in charge, he took drastic actions, which demonstrated his courage and determination to put things right without fear or favour.
— Habibu Abdulwahab (@SarkiAbdulwahab) April 11, 2022
Till today, those actions have set him against a group.
Now that is what we need!#OsinbajoDeclares pic.twitter.com/Qdox3tBSRQ
@MrLekanAdigun
‘’Waking up to see #OsinbajoDeclares feels good for me. I will be here to promote and support Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, as the next President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. We shall be victorious by the special grace of God!’’
Waking up to see #OsinbajoDeclares feels good for me. I will be here to promote and support Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, as the next President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. We shall be victorioys by the special grace of God! pic.twitter.com/cS2JjXlCZB
— El Commandante® (@MrLekanAdigun) April 11, 2022
@banter_lor
‘’This image clearly depicts Osinbajo's personality as a nothing more but a humble man who cares ,listens and acts😊’’
This image clearly depicts Osinbajo's personality as a nothing more but a humble man who cares ,listens and acts😊 pic.twitter.com/MAOF2Lycsj
— Blaqboi's Pillow 👁️🗨️👁️🗨️👁️🗨️ (@Banter_lor) April 11, 2022
@scientistwicked
‘’One Of My Happiest Moment Today Is Osinbajo's Presidential Declaration, Let Your Vote Speak .’’
One Of My Happiest Moment Today Is Osinbajo's Presidential Declaration,Let Your Vote Speak .
— DUKE OF OOU ♥️♥️🇳🇬🏴 (@ScientistWicked) April 11, 2022
Tinubu's "Sonship" Comment Also Trends
Meanwhile, another debate started when the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he didn’t have a son old enough to declare to run for president.
He made this known when he met with some APC governors in Abuja. BAT as he is fondly called was responding to journalists who asked him about his ‘’political son’’ Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration.
Here are some of the comments from social media users:
@Tife_fabunmi
‘’See how Tinubu confidently denied Osibanjo who has worked and been his son for many years. Now imagine what he will do to 200 million Nigerians who he doesn’t know if he becomes the President? Ah!!’’
@letter_to_jack
“I could argue that nobody in Tinubu’s camp expected this plot twist last year. They were just expecting a two-term VP to pave way for SWAGA’23 because Jagaban na baba.’’
I could argue that nobody in Tinubu’s camp expected this plot twist last year.
— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) April 11, 2022
They were just expecting a two term VP to pave way for SWAGA’23 because Jagaban na baba.
@novieverest
“Tinubu: I have no son grown enough to declare. Tinubu just disowned Osinbanjo. Star boy is now a prodigal son.’’
Tinubu: I have no son grown enough to declare.
— DISTINGUISHED KPMG LinkedIn Everest (@novieverest) April 11, 2022
Tinubu just disowned Osinbanjo. Star boy is now a prodigal son.
@A_blackwoman
"your son has declared to......"
Tinubu: I have no son old enough to declare.
Politics na your mate? 😂🤣’’
" your son has declared to......"
— Stephanie⭐️ (@beibipearl2) April 12, 2022
Tinubu: I have no son old enough to declare.
Politics na your mate? 😂🤣
@Von_bismark
‘’Tinubu was quizzed today about Osinbajo’s declaration and he answered that he has no son old enough to declare for presidency. The battle line has just been drawn.’’
Tinubu was quizzed today about Osinbajo’s declaration and he answered that he has no son old enough to declare for presidency.
— DEMAGOGUE PhD.💘senior advocat (@von_Bismack) April 11, 2022
The battle line has just been drawn.
@FS_Yusuf_
‘’Meeting with APC governors, Tinubu said he has no son grown enough to challenge him for the presidential race.
Ahh...them don disown Osibanjo be that.
Oh, omolomo.’’
Meeting with APC governors, Tinubu said he has no son grown enough to challenge him for the presidential race.
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) April 11, 2022
Ahh...them don disown Osibanjo be that.
Oh, omolomo.