VP Osinbajo speaks on alleged plans to succeed Buhari as president in 2023

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has finally reacted to speculations that he declared interest in the 2023 presidential race.

The Vice President in a statement issued by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, on Monday, May 17, said the rumour was not true.

According to Osinbajo’s spokesman, the attention of the vice president’s office has been drawn to a website:supportosinbajo.ng calling on Nigerians to join a volunteer group mobilising support ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

He explained that the vice president is not in any way connected to this website or the group that is currently trending on WhatsApp with a suggestion that Osinbajo has “quietly” declared interest.

Akande said Osinbajo considers such an enterprise an unnecessary distraction, adding that he is rather focused on working in his capacity as vice president in the current administration to address all the compelling issues in the country.

He urged the people to desist from such unhelpful permutations.

The statement read: “The Office of the Vice President is not in any way connected to this website or the group behind it and considers such an enterprise an unnecessary distraction.

“Professor Osinbajo has not declared any interest whatsoever in the 2023 election, but he is rather focused on working in his capacity as vice president in the current administration to address all the compelling issues in the country and concerns of Nigerians, including finding effective and lasting solutions to the security challenges.
“Therefore, we ask that people desist from such unhelpful permutations while we all deal together with the challenges confronting us as Nigerians, and resolve them for the benefit of our people, peace, and prosperity in the land.”