Tinubu nominated me to be vice-president, Osinbajo finally speaks

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has broken his silence on the person behind his nomination into the second most powerful office in the land.

John Paden, a professor ofhistory, who wrote a biography in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari had ruffled feathers by saying it was Buhari who picked Osinbajo.

Paden’s assertion punctured the widespread belief that it was Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, who single-handedly picked Osinbajo for the job.

But speaking during the Coalition of Nigerian Apostolic Leaders in Lagos, Osinbajo said it was his former boss (Osinbajo worked under Tinubu as a commissioner) who nominated him.

According to Vanguard, though Osinbajo did not mention Tinubu’s name, it was obvious that he was referring to the former governor.

“An APC national leader whom I had served when he was governor was interested in putting me forward as the running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari in consensus with other national leaders of the party,” he reportedly said.

“I was a product of this system (Coalition Leaders). The church was reluctant and I understood why the church was reluctant. The church was looking at the head of the ticket (president). This is our first opportunity. This is our first shot at it. We need to maximise it and do the best we can.

“I think what my nomination and appointment have done is that it has open the door for us. We can do it and we can be influential in doing it.”