With Osinbajo’s absence on the 2023 ballot, Nigeria missed another Awolowo – Ojudu
Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Babafemi Ojudu, has lamented that Nigeria lost the chance to have a leader comparable to the late Obafemi Awolowo by not electing Yemi Osinbajo as president in the 2023 general elections.
Ojudu expressed his disappointment during an appearance on Edmund Obilo’s podcast, State Affairs, on Monday evening, emphasizing the intellectual and leadership qualities that set Osinbajo apart.
“For me, it was like losing Awolowo for the second time. Osinbajo’s dedication, ability, and commitment were at the same level as Awolowo’s. Nigeria would have achieved great progress under his leadership,” Ojudu remarked.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari. He contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries ahead of the 2023 elections but lost to President Bola Tinubu. At the primaries held at Eagles Square, Abuja, Tinubu secured 1,271 votes to emerge victorious, while former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi received 316 votes. Osinbajo garnered 235 votes, and Senate President Ahmad Lawan received 152 votes.
Reflecting on Osinbajo’s candidacy, Ojudu shared, “Yemi Osinbajo was the legal secretary of The News magazine in 1989 during the military regime. Having worked closely with him in the presidency, I was convinced he was the most suitable candidate to lead Nigeria in 2023. His philosophy, patriotism, and breadth of knowledge made him stand out as the best choice for the nation.”
When asked about his role in Osinbajo’s decision to contest the APC primaries, Ojudu clarified, “I wouldn’t say I persuaded him. It was a collective decision. As a group, including the former Vice President, we believed in his capacity to govern Nigeria.”
Addressing whether Osinbajo might run for president again, Ojudu expressed doubt, citing the intense demands of the 2023 campaign.
“The experience was too excruciating. We toured all 36 states three times. He would stand for four to five hours addressing delegates, answering their questions without notes, and taking individual photographs with each of them. Sometimes, we left Sokoto at 2 a.m., returned to Abuja, and by 8 a.m., we were flying to another state. While we scrambled for food, he would sit quietly with just a cup of coffee and two slices of bread.”
Ojudu further praised Osinbajo’s work ethic and leadership style, describing him as exceptional.
“He is a man whose speeches cannot be written for him. His leadership style and intellectual rigor are rare. Nigeria truly missed an extraordinary opportunity with him,” he concluded.
