2023: IBB endorses Osinbajo, disappoints Saraki, Atiku, others

Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has made his choice for the 2023 presidential candidate, and might have let down many others who feel they are closer to the former leader.

On Thursday, Babangida endorsed a likely APC candidate, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, for the 2023 presidency.

PDP’s national leader and former Sen. President Bukola Saraki is another 2023 presidential wannabe who has visited Babangida a couple of times, and revered him politically in most of his career as governor and senator.

More, Saraki and Babangida are not just PDP members, but both come from the north-central geo-political zone.

The former general, however, prefers the law professor and APC politician.

He told the Osinbajo Grassroots Organisation which visited him at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger capital, on Thursday.

“I know the Vice-president very well. He is a good man. A man who has conviction about Nigeria; a man who can communicate with the country and inspire people. Such a man is worthy person to work with. We need good man to lead Nigeria.”

“A man who has passion for this country. Nigeria is a good country; the people of Nigeria are good. You must learn to understand people and constant discussion is key.

“I want to convey my best wishes to the Vice-president through you. And I want you to tell him to stay on cause. I know it’s not easy but he has the conviction. I wish him the best,” he said.

Babangida told the group that he accepted to speak with them because he knows “Osinbajo has what it takes to be a good leader”.

The National Convener of the Organisation, Mr. OJo Foluso, said they were happy with IBB’s endorsement.

“We came to consult the Oracle and the Oracle has spoken. General IBB is an oracle because he understands Nigeria,” he said.

IBB spoke in the past too, endorsing former V.P Atiku Abubakar who was the PDP candidate in the 2019 presidential election.

He is believed to be scrambling for the party ticket again in 2023.