One
of the most exciting aspects of Democracy practice in Nigeria in the last one
year is the emergence of Yemi Osinbajo, a barrister at law, silk, a professor
of law and also a pastor, as the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari, the
presidential candidate of the main opposition party, the All Progressives
Congress in the forthcoming March 28 2015 elections.
Considering
the professor’s relatively low profile and his antecedents, compared to the
much better known, more colourful and more influential personalities like
Babatunde Fashola, Governor of Lagos State, Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Rivers
State, Adams Oshiomole, Governor Edo State all touted to be in contention, it
was quite a surprise to see the “little giant” come up tops.
However
those who are aware of the quality of the personality of Yemi Osinbajo who
became an Associate Professor of Law in 1990 at the age of 33years realized
that his choice was astute.
With
his selection as the running mate to General Buhari, Osinbajo has effectively
become a politician, a front-line one at that. Almost immediately after his
elevation, the professor, who is also a Pentecostal clergy man, hit the hustings
strongly, dazzling and charming audiences with his deep knowledge and sure
footedness. A compelling speaker, his brilliance and deep knowledge is all too
evident, but his panache is devoid of the boisterousness of bravura or the
excitability of the derring-do, rather it burnishes more appealingly on a
velvety poise of calm candour and soothing sobriety.
As
Professor Osinbajo goes on his campaigns either by himself or with his
principal, the General, the Nigerian voting public was seeing an uncommon politico
but the big question is - will he become the Vice-President of Nigeria?
The
answer to the question should ordinarily be an easy “Yes,” considering the
widespread popularity of the Professor’s party-the All Progressives Congress.
So strong on ground is the APC, that it is commonly believed that the party
would have easily won the presidential elections if the February 14 2015 polls
had held and was not postponed.
However
in Nigeria, one cannot be too sure of anything because of the activities of
entrenched patriotic interests who always prefer their parochial and selfish concerns
above national interests.
In
the event of victory at the presidential polls by the APC, then Professor Yemi
Osinbajo SAN would have scored at least two firsts in the political history of
Nigeria.
First,
he would be the first legal practitioner to become an elected Vice-President of
Nigeria. Chief Obafemi Awolowo the only other Nigerian lawyer who became
Vice-President of Nigeria, was not elected to the position. Chief Awolowo was
appointed as the Finance Minister and Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Military
Council of the General Yakubu Gowon regime. Incidentally Chief Awolowo was from
Ikenne, Ogun State, just like Yemi Osinbajo, who is married to Dolapo one of
the grand children of Chief Awolowo.
It
should be noted that though Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the Vice-President of Nigeria
from 1979 to 1983 is a lawyer, he became a legal practitioner after his time in
office as Vice-President.
Secondly,
professor Osinbajo, would become, if the APC wins the presidential contest, the
first clergy-man to occupy the seat of Vice-President, Nigeria.
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