Osibajo or Osinbajo? Meet Buhari’s running mate who is married to Awolowo’s granddaugher
He is so relatively new to the public eye that we don’t even know his correct surname. We know him as Yemi, quite all right. But is it Yemi Osibajo? Perhaps Osinbajo? Or even Osinbanjo? His name has been misspelt by the media for the past 15 years and there is no indication that he has ever tried to correct it.
There you have the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC): self-effacing and relatively new to the political fray. Indeed, there are not many pictures to choose from when you google his name! To his credit, though, all searches for “Osibajo” and “Osinbajo” lead to him. Some consolation there.
The Punch has been alternating between Osibajo and Osinbajo. THISDAY, PMNews, TheCable and Premium Times seem fascinated with Osibajo. Ynaija wrote Osinbajo in one headline and Osibajo towards the end of the story. The Nation, which should know him very well, is sure it is Osinbajo.
To know more about him, here are a few facts on the intellectual and public speaker.
His name is Yemi Osinbajo (with “n” please)
Memorise it – you may need it later. O-S-I-N-B-A-J-O. That is eight letters. TheCable has been obsessed with “Osibajo” for no known reason, but this erratum should call its editors to order henceforth. The meaning of his name is not easily accessible to the younger Yoruba generation. All they will tell you is that OSIN is a water bird and AJO is a journey. Now to connect the two and make sense out of it is left to the older generation. TheCable refuses to hazard a meaning, but Osinbajo’s well-wishers will certainly hope his journey to Aso Rock will be as smooth as OSIN sailing on water.
In his native Ijebu, one of the oldest and most distinct dialects of the Yoruba language, OSIN could also refer to a “child” and Osinbajo (Osin bo lati ajo) could then be interpreted to mean a child has returned from a journey ─ a good sign that all went well. In that case, his well-wishers would be hoping that his journey into politics will be worth the while and they will have every reason to rejoice when he ends his national service. We hope Osinbajo himself will take time, when he is less busy, to explain the meaning of his name to us for our education.
Everybody who got it wrong should, however, be forgiven: Osinbajo is but a new “kid” on the block. He has been limited to the intellectual and ecclesiastical circles since he left government in 2007. After all, we are still struggling with spelling the names of more visible Nigerians such as Alamieyeseigha, Diezani and Imoukhuede. Even some Igbo would rather call the finance minister Ngozi Okonji-Iweala than Okonjo-Iweala. And the governor of Benue state was called Gabriel Suswan for ages until people finally agreed that even if a swan swam for a million miles, Gabriel’s surname would still be SUSWAM. And Ghaddafi? Oh no, let’s not go there.
Fashola (left) giving a pep talk to Osinbajo (middle) on how to transform from intellectual lawyer to politician (we made that up, by the way)
He is a “blue blood”
No, no. Not what you are thinking. He is married to the house of Obafemi Awolowo, arguably the greatest Yoruba politician ever and a distinguished public administrator described by the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu as “the best president Nigeria never had”. Oludolapo, his wife and mother of his three children, is a granddaughter of the late sage. What else? Yemi is from Ogun state originally, but he served Lagos as commissioner and is therefore also from Lagos. What more? His brother, Akin, was the attorney-general of Ogun state from 2003-2007, the first and only time two blood brothers are known to have held commissionerships in different states at the same time. What again? Akin and Yemi look so much alike, but we must now reveal that one is shorter and has a smaller build than the other. Guess who.
He is a SAN
Yes, he is a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), but what do else do you expect a man who has taught and practised law all his adult life? He studied law at the University of Lagos (1978) and got a master’s from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1980). He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1979. The professor of law was the head of department of public law at the University of Lagos (1997-1999). He is a member of the International Bar Association and the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and has served in the Nigerian Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education of Nigeria. I almost forgot to say he is the senior partner at SimmonsCooper Partners, a law firm, where he earns his living.
He is an author
Aso Rock is not the right place to author books ─ you are too busy to do that. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo just launched a three-part book made up of over 1000 pages, but you have to realise he left office over seven years ago. It has taken seven years to release a book brimming with acid and poison. Osinbajo has been writing his own intellectual books, not memoirs, which are more difficult. He may be an author but he will not be doing that in the presidential villa for now.
Some of the books he has written or contributed to or edited are: “Nigeria’s Treaties in Force”, “Nigerian Media Law”, “The Unification and Reform of the Nigerian Criminal Law and Procedure Codes”, “Law Development and Administration”, “The Annotated Civil Procedure Rules of The Superior Courts in Nigeria”, “Cases and Materials on Nigerian Law of Evidence” and “Cross Examination: A Trial Lawyer’s Most Potent Weapon”. If he decides to write his memoirs after leaving office, be sure you won’t get much of a bile. He is a gentleman.
Preach it, pastor
He is a pastor
There must be something about Buhari and lawyer-pastors. In 2011, he picked Tunde Bakare, founder of the Latter Rain Assembly, as his running mate. Bakare is also a lawyer. This time, he has picked Osinbajo, who pastors the Olive Tree House of Prayer for All Nations, Banana Island, a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. And do we really have to repeat the part that Osinbajo is a lawyer too?
He is ermmm… a politician
He is no Bola Tinubu or Rotimi Amaechi, so you will be reluctant to call him a politician. And for someone who has never contested an election before, now it is pretty difficult to call him a politician. But he has been very much involved in politics. He was special adviser to Bola Ajibola, the attorney general of Nigeria from 1988-1992, and he himself was appointed attorney-general and commissioner for justice of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007.
He is an “international figure”
He circulates frequently on the international scene. I must add: unlike Buhari. He is the ethics advisor to the advisory board of the African Development Bank. He has served in various roles within the United Nations, United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations, the United Nations African Institute for Crime Prevention, the International Criminal court for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania, the department of Peacekeeping operations and the United Nations Peace Operations in Somalia.
He spoke at Platform in 2013
He is a ‘public servant’ and public speaker
Osinbajo is co-founder and board member of the Convention on Business Integrity and the Justice Research Institute Ltd. In 2007, Prof. and his wife Oludolapo founded The Orderly Society Trust, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the promotion of Christian ethics and orderliness. And, well, he does a lot of things pro-bono. He is also a public speaker and a well-coveted one at that.
This is the best candidate ever nominated for the position in Nigeria. Osinbajo is a man of integrity like Buhari. He is an astute administrator. He has all the qualities I desire in a leader.
You are not the only admirer of this team. My prayer is that we Nigerians should this time vote for candidates prepared for the mission and not political parties.
Prof is a gentleman, fantastic orator and a first class researcher on good governance. His speech on the Hamas at one gathering speaks of a man who look beyond human foibles and is able to tap into the goodness that endears a person or group to large followership.
We salute you.
Congratulations Prof.
Let somebody shout Halleluyah. Great news.
Great news travels fast. Let’s all develop the right wings to spread it. What a winning combination- GMB and YO. Surely the Lord is in this place. No more evil carryover! Let’s cross over the to take over. The time is always right to do what is right. GMB & YO , EVERYONE! APC, Straight!
I am so happy for Nigeria. Good days are here again. Up Buhari! Up Osinbajo! forward ever backward never. Change is here let’s embrace it.
It would be a great disservice to Nigeria if this learned gentleman is picked for GMB ticket but they failed to win. I hope not. I pray we have someone like the erudite prof as a vice president under GMB. Time for a change we desire.
There’s indeed light at the end of the tunnel for our great country. I’m so excited at the sign of good things ahead; the much coveted change is finally here. Fellow Nigerians, let’s make this work. Congratulations to GMB and Prof. Osinbajo; our and President and Vice in-waiting.
God is not asleep, no negative religious bigots will ever rule Nigeria. It does not matter the combinations .
It’s heartening that tried and tested intellectuals talents of Nigeria are emerging to lead the nation . when we have people like the Prof. Osinbajo you can only imagine the pull intellectually sound technocrats with proven governmental and private sector experience to run the affairs of the nation. God has really blessed us in this nation
GMB/Prof have my vote
This is the team will need for this country. We all need to strat campaign for them and enligthing people about them if we need the change we deserve.
Great convention, trusted presidential candidate and reliable VP, congratulations Nigeria. Aso rock must change tenancy by God’s grace
I really agree with you Mato. If we want and desire this change as much as we keep saying. The change we need deserve and desire, then we should start campaigning for them in our individual capacity, enlighten the people about them and the change to come.
Good convention, wonderful presidential candidate and a welcome VP. They will be a change in Aso rock tenant by God’s grace.
It’s like you should continue with the profile. This is a winning team.
Chidi,
As a writer, I was more enthralled by your writing skills in doing this piece than by the piece itself, although it felt good to know all that you out out about Osinbajo.
I must confess that you have got that thing I’m always on the look out for in many “writers” but never really seeing.
Kudos and best wishes. Be warned: you’re now a marked man and I will give you something to utilise your skills.
Cheers!
Jona is in serious trouble.change has come and no going back.
I cant wait for this dream to manifest. Am tired of weaklings,and out of ideas candidates presiding… Who says Nigeria is not blessed!
Great profile and qualification for the new Nigeria that we all aspire for. Nigerian’s must be very wise now. We will vote for the winning team.
This is the Lord’s doing and it’s so marvellous in our sight. Righteousness exalts a nation. When righteous people are in power, darkness gives room for light, power, progress, peace and prosperity.
we need a change. we do not need the continuity that devalues Naira and lives. GMB and Oshinbajo are the best combination for the change we yearn for. May God help us achieve this come 2015.
I think finally God is intervening in nigerias problems.am so happy.
My instincts tell me this is the change we’v all been waiting for. It’s now left for us to go all out and make this happen. We also need to pray that God who knows best, put the very right person there.
This is a very wonderful conbination, all what we need is positive change, intergety and betterment for our great nation. We dont like a clueless any more…
I dey laff!
Father we thank you!Israelites went through the wilderness for 40 years and for Nigeria and Nigerians to get there,God allowed 50 years of serious wilderness for us before making us choose a great team like this.Nigerians,the ball,at least of the next 4 years,is in our court.
Thanks for the v. informative write-up. The professor’s family name is ỌṢIBÀJÒ.
The change has really come we are waiting
I want to believe this is the change nigerians had been yearning for. Great nd perfect combo. Let us all campaign and propagate this change on various social media, so that this dream becomes a reality.
Up GMB! Up Osinbajo!!
Tola Adenle is correct. His Junior brother, Akin was a bosom friend in the 70’s but we lost contact after our secondary school education. He attended Igbobi College. The family name is Osibajo.
The junior brother is Pastor Akin Osinbajo and is one of the pastors in Fountain of Life Church,Ilupeju Lagos. He is still a distinctive lawyer.
You can come and see him speak.
This is the Partnership of Change that Nigerian is yarning for day in day out by attending Duaa and vigil. May God bless Nigeria to make this inevitable Change to be realiased.They are the winning team and Hope 2015.
Everyone should endeavour to quard his or her voters card judiciously and ensure against all odd to vote.Not by mouth saying.We must vote and quard our vote to the last.
UP GMB,
UP OSINBAJO
UP APC.
Pastor Osinbajo is a fine gentleman of. Integrity.
Going by Buhari’s antecedents when he was the Head of State, his deputy wield so much influence on governance. If the same is replicated, then Nigeria would be better for it. However, we still need to pray for God’s guidance. Let His will be done.
Amen
This is A serious Sometin. Never had it this sweet in Nigeria We pray that the Will Of Our God be Done.
Thank God I ave my PVC, GMB/Osinbanjo u have my vote already. Pls my people let’s make sure we collect our PVC dats d only way to make d change dat we desire to happen.
First and foremost ,what power does the VP have in our constitution? Except that which is assign to himby the president, so why are we celebrating this?A Governor of a state is better than VP in Nigeria.
I can’t celebrate this as christian. Buhari is desperate and ‘all do anything
Buhari has been tested as one that allows his assistants to perform, So we believe he will give Osibajo the opportunity to contribute to igerian gteatness,
First and foremost ,what power does the VP have in our constitution? Except that which is assign to himby the president, so why are we celebrating this?A Governor of a state is better than VP in Nigeria.
I can’t celebrate this as christian. Buhari is desperate and ‘ll do anything to get to Aso rock.
Only fools sound diff in the mist of wisdom….Take a clue from others reasonale comment…xtian as u claim.Even the Bible says people like u perishes bcos of lacking knowledge.
What is the job of VP in Nigeria , Nothing, except the one assign to him by the president. A portfolio without authority. It is better to be a Governor in a state than VP in Nigeria. I suspect desperation. Maybe he is not even an APC member, the man just want to be president at all cost. As a christian I can vote for osibajo as a presidential or Governorship candidate not VP somebody just want to use him as a ladder
What a fantastic combination this GMB/YO ticket would offer Nigerians ! Let’s say bye-bye to cluelessness in government.We need resolute leaders ,men of integrity -not feeble minded bunch who cannot simply define corruption.
,
This political mismatch is an evidence of desperation of a Dictator. In all democracies, it is the presidential candidate and not the running mate that matters. This team cannot undo the ugly past of a blood thirsty dictator. Let APC regroup for 2019 when they must give us a credible flagbearer.
My sentiments exactly! Say no more.
this politician-intellectual combo would definitely guarantee a stable leadership. hopefully too we are looking at religious stability.
First of all I want to congratulate Yemi for this great honour. It could not have come at the best or worst possibble time for Nigeria. Also the correct spelling is O-S-I-B-A-J-O. Yemi and all his brothers were old boys of Igbobi Colloege just like myself though I have been out of Nigeria since 1979 till date in pursuit of greener pasture in Canada and I was in the same class with Dr. Leke Pitan another illustrious protege of BAT. Yemi will definitely uphold our school’s anthem that goes like this: ‘wherever there is an Igbobian there also is a NOBLE Nigerian”. So GEJ please start packing with your hanger-on, political jobbers, and neophytes in the like of Doyin Okupe and Rueben Abati. Nigerians can start to breathe a sigh relieve now that there is brightness at the of the dark tunnel where they have been for over 20 years. Yemi is not only very brilliant but he is impeccable in character, hence the nick name, ‘escko’ when he was in Igbobi College. BAT you have finally done something that Nigerians can be proud of for a change!!!!! Yemi go get the rot out of the polity and give Nigerians justice and fairness, orderliness and good governance with GMB at the helm of affairs of real and true governance and quality democratic dispensation for the masses. Bravo to Yemi and GMB.
Great people of Nigeria, let us vote for people of integrity this time around. The future of our great country and that of our children is in our hands. Foreigners will not do it for us. This is the right time to use our vote rightly. GOD BLESS NIGERIA. Amen
APC candidates are nothing but boko haram top squad parading to take over power democrately!we are not palestinial(hamas)with their terrorist govt…don’t trust this combination of an imam and a pastor..two enemies of mass destruction. Say no to sectional govt.
Congrats prof.You will recall we met in 1997 when I was PSLSMLG&CALL and since then I’ve been monitoring your contributions. Let us thank ASIWAJU for all effort in discovering BRT AKIN AMBODE & your good self to save Nigeria. Nigerans Insha Allah will support your journey to ASO ROCK
Mhhh. I just wonder if Nigerians are no longer with their sense of history. What is GMB in Nigeria system? What is the role of a Vice President in Nigeria? A professor to accept being a Vice President in this dispensation is simply a political arithmetic for the future. some people are behind the scene, trying to use this combination to remotely drain this country. it is a political bed. Some people have laid for their smooth sleep. A VP is a toothless bull-dog so, whats the effect of an erudite gentleman as a VP to a former dictator.Is it GMB that picked his running mate or someone else? what is the interest of the godfather that picked him? i wish Nigeria well.
Buhari can never get reasonable people like me’s vote.never ever,for even swearing to make nigeria ungovernable for our president. TuFiakwa!.Buhari can even take Pope francis as is running mate or as Gay mate but I will rather be beheaded than to vote for a Terrorist gang.
I read through the comments in this blog and am touched by the various accolades, good wishes and noble expectations of various tribes and tongues. Truly, many Nigerians want a change for good in governance, but there are also many on the other side ready to pull down Nigeria.
Let`s remember that there is beauty in both sunrise and sunset. There is no gain without pain, no night without day and no triumph without trials. Nigeria will surely swim and not sink.
This political selection is fragile and definitely comes with an agenda. It must therefore be carefully weighed, especially after so many died in 2014. Nigerians are not fools.
The one above knows this unspoken agenda as well as the hidden fine prints. Prof will surely succeed, but there is need for indepth secular discernment and divine wisdom.
Africa our motherland will give us victory on this noble pursuit. We need a tested and selfless leader like Prof Osibajo.
Yes, GMB was tested when he was a dictator. After the PTF saga, what prominent thing has he done for his village, state and Nigeria. In his own capacity, what has been his contributions to better Nigeria since leaving office years ago other than wanting to Islamise Nigeria? At least, We still hear of Gowon, Obasanjo. Pls somebody educate me?
You are absolutely right. What did he (Buhari) contribute during the struggle for June 12 that brought the democracy we enjoy today? Absolutely nothing. He served the despotic Abacha instead ( and it is on record that Maryam Abacha said she was the one that brought Buhari into politics). His only interest is to take back ‘their’ power, he has no interest in Nigeria or democracy. The westerners as usual as playing the Ostrich here again, they did during the June 12 struggle and left MKO hung out to dry! But God is against all of them put together. Why didn’t they nominate Prof Osinbajo as their Presidential candidate? Why is he being used as a VP and VP has no constitutional role in Nigeria. So Osinbajo will remain redudant like Dr Alex Ekwueme (who with 7 University degrees including a PhD, World class professional practice etc. had to serve under Shehu Shagari a higher elementary teacher – only reason being that Shagari represents a group that must rule Nigeria.
“…..Yes, GMB was tested when he was a dictator……”
A nation with no sense of history has no future. At any case the majority will do the needful come 2015 and send a strong message. NO MORE DICTATORS. The generation that wrecked our nation shall never be given another chance. Those that reference Mandela’s age must rethink. That is an insult to Madiba. Mandela was never a Dictator. Buhari will be rejected again and again and again. We need credible flagbearer from this opposition. Buhari’s candidacy is dead on arrival.
There is no more hesistation.Nigerian has tested GMB when he was Head of States and PTF chairman . Also Nigerian has tested GEJ and his team. Who deserve the second chance ? ,Nigerian should answer by vote.
I heard him “speak” at the last PLATFORM organised on October 1st 2014 by Covenant Christian Centre at the Covenant Place.(His name was spelled ‘Osibajo’.It still beats me how that ‘mistake’ occurs even at that level) He seemed like a “gentleman” and even from his talk you would know he never had political ambitions. This ‘election’ will be quite interesting. GMB & Osinbajo. But I do not see the duo get the South East and South South ‘votes’. That will still go to “Goodluck’..
The name is Osibajo and not Osinbajo
Wish this man was being paired with a better candidate. I do not wish Nigeria be led by a religious bigot and sharia advocate. His choice of Prof. Osinbajo may look perfect but let God’s will be done in Nigeria. Pls note that I am not an advocate for the incumbent administration in any way. God save my dear country Nigeria.
Prof Osibajo is an advocate of Christian value and a strong RCCG pastor, So that make him ineligible to lead Nigeria and make him a wrong candidate for Nigeria. He his also a religious bigot. At least GMB is not an IMAM and does not preach and has not being seen anywhere in recent years lobbying around with Muslim leaders. Osibajo is a religious bigot too
The three dreaded poisons we do not wish to mix with politics: pastors, sharia bigots and military dictators. Thanks APC!!!!
Mr Nail, who do u want the Nigerians to Trust? GEJ? Pls stop your magomago Religion lies.
It is well. As human being we have tried our best.I seek the refuge of Almighty Allah to protect Nigerians from deceitful politicians and for God to prevail on the coming voting exercises. Naturally, Africans and the sit tight syndrome encouraged by sycophants and political jobs make the activity seemingly difficult. However, it is certain that Nigeria need change. GEJ, for six(6) years have wasted our time and resources. Congrats to APC for the combination and choice for the presidency. We now have something we can present and pray fervently upon. ALL IS WELL.
Why is somebody not asking why Christians are not regarded as INFIDELS when our support is needed or when our region’s oil money is needed? Mind you, Osibajo is Tinubu’s nomination not Buhari’s choice. First it was Bakare now Osibajo. Wrong combination. I pray for Osibajo o.
I am quite sickened by the comments on this post. So, because an unrepentant Islamic Fundamentalist military dictator has against chosen a Christian pastor as his running mate, all of Nigeria s problems are about to be solved. This is the problem with our people , especially those from a certain opportunistic group. Elections are won and lost at the ballot box, not on the pages of newspapers, bought over by a political party. We have seen all this before. Luckily, the real voters do not really bother with newspaper opinions, as they know where their interest lies. Let the voters speak on 14th February 2015 and I am sure that like in 2011, the majority will sing the same song again. Meanwhile, congratulations to the Professor, pastor and budding politician. Real great combination of contradictory talents.
I think Buhari is too Old and should have groomed someone like Osinbajo as the Presidential candidate either.Why is he so desperate for that seat. What can Osinbajo really do from the seat of a VP. Yes, he may have all the potentials but don’t rule out the fact that Buhari can make him a ceremonial VP when the chips are down.
Be reminded that Tunde Idiagbon was Deputy to Buhari when they both brought sanity to Nigeria then. Be glad and happy that God has given us these team GMB/Prof Osinbajo. When are we going to see and read far beyond religious sentiments? Open your eyes and hears well. Nigeria will be great again.
“……they both brought sanity to Nigeria then”…….See your mindset! That was MILITARY DICTATORSHIP, SO BOTH COULD RIDE ROUGHSHOD OVER NIGERIANS. This is a DEMOCRACY, Buhari CANNOT ride roughshod over anybody.
Bad combination APC! Pastor, Sharia Zealot: (Religion) and Military
Time for a change has come ! Thank u Jesus
Nigerians shall rejoice again!!!
PROF IS A HIGHLY DISCIPLINED MAN. HE IS A GOOD MAN FOR THE JOB.
Great combination for the desired change. There is no better combination than this. Nigerians are wiser and the votes will decide. Nothing can stop this great team from winning. Not the critics of the greedy, maligning of their tested and trusted personalities by change resistant cycophants. THE TIME FOR THE LONG AWAITED CHANGE HAS FINALLY COME…..
Vote will decide? Did u mean to say “riggers will decide?”when did votes ever count in this country, apart from the MKO Abiola election?
GMB has always taken As as a do or die affair. Y swear to make Nigeria ungovernable simply simply because he was unable to scale through.
When I read the initial comments on this thread, I taught it was APC seeking to be heard.
Is it not better the pastor runs for presidency while GMB seconds. What is VP’s impact in the villa. Some politicians were using women as running mates just to win the hearts of feminist population. Through change is when we support the likes of this to run for the presidency and not when they are used as a smoke screen to win our hearts
GMB should have produced a personality like the pastor to contest for presidency
They told us in primary school that we are leaders of tomorrow. Now we are of age. Maybe tomorrow has not come or our teachers lied to us……
A do or die affair as stated by someone has put it is good for a leader who has a passion to change his country for good. After all if Prof has come out of his own accord to run for Presidency, people may not see his credibility of governance and overall good intentions for our great nation. Remember that Gani Fawehinmi contested for presidency during his lifetime; and as good as he was; he was not even seen by Nigerians. Time to support this great change.
THIS IS THE CHANGE GOD HAS PROMISED NIGERIA. TO BRING THE CHANGE TO REALITY PLEASE GO AND GET YOUR PVC, EVEN IF IT MEANS SPENDING THE WHOLE DAY AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FUTURE AND THAT OF THE GENERATION UN BORN, GO AND BE ARMED WITH YOUR VOTERS’ CARDS. MAILS, TWITTER ETC CAN NOT MAKE THE CHANGE , BUT YOUR PVC CAN.
Elections are not won on the social media. I do hope you all have your PVC…God bless Nigeria!
To me, Buhari is trying to use this man to reach Aso rock because he is desperate for power.
This is Buhari’s 4th trial after leaving office in 1985,and I promise you people that he will fail again.
People are speaking as if we are not Nigerians again or as if we don’t know how Nigerian voters behave on the election day. Or have we forgotten the notion many have for Buhari as a Muslim fanatics?
Is Tunde Bakare whom he used in 2011 dead? Why did he not pick him again this time ? Or is Tunde Bakare not a Pastor or Christian anymore?
Buhari made an utterance that if he loses election that Nigeria would be ungovernable,and true to his threat,after the election results were announced in favour of GEJ, NYSC members were killed and butchered by Almajiris and nothing happened. The next is the introduction of suicide bombing by Boko Haram sect whom Buhari told us that “declaring a war on Boko Haram is a declaration of war on the North”.
Osinbajo is a man of integrity ,no doubt,but believe me,his being picked will not win the election for Buhari. I think APC should have gone for another Presidential candidate than Buhari himself ,then pick Osinbajo as VP candidate.
Buhari is a Muslim fanatic and will never win election nationally across the nation. He is a tribalist,hates Christians and cannot confront bad teaching of Islam in Nigeria.
If I may ask those who think that Buhari who incited the Northern youths to kill NYSC memebers and supports BH insurgents whose activities are geared towards disrupting the GEJ government, supposing Buhari takes over Aso rock and the people of the Niger Delta whose area habours our oil wells that gives Nigeria over 95% of revenue takes up arms to disrupt Buhari’s government by blowing oil wells and stopping oil production and flows, how would Buhari’s government survive?
I ask this because when he incites Northerners and his APC supporters to cause mayhem to GEJ he does not remember that Nigeria does not earn revenues from Onions,Groundnut,Yam,but from Oil.
Finally,Osinbajo is a good man,but the type Nigerian politics does not suit a man of his caliber.
I don’t see the Niger-Delta region who produces the wealth of the nation voting out their own man as President come 2015 even if Rotimi Amaechi pumps all Rivers peoples’ money into APC,bet me. I know how Nigerians behave.
If OSIBAJO is the Presidential Candidate, the I will vote for him, but to vote for BUHARI, no way. AND I Won’t Vote for JONATHAN either.
Let APC swap their 2 candidates OSIBAJO for PRESIDENT, BUHARI for vice, and they will win, if not, nothing for APC. This party cannot use OSIBAJO to shine.
Reading through the posts on this article has unveiled to me that majority of Nigerians actually desire a positive change while a minority would rather the status quo continued. Those who are labeling GMB a religious bigot should come out with intelligent proofs that he is one. Most of these accusers only base their comments on hear-says, which is not a hall mark of intellectualism. If the man has a link to any terrorist group, I am sure that the govt of the day will b e so mhappy to nail him and score cheap points. GMB/Osibajo combination is a total deviation from past combinations of pure politicians without any iota of integrity. GMB’s offering himself for service over the years is not out of desperation. Why will he be desperate? He is a former Head of States, former minister of petroleum, chairman of PTF, and he did not soil his hands. We should analyse Nigerian situation with clear-head and avoid jaundiced and sentimental assessments that have always been the bane of our political development, which is responsible for Nigeria’s crisis.
still passing by ……..but hard to conment now.Change 80%…………loading
Have been waiting for a day that we will have upright and distinguished leaders who will paddle the canoe to it destination. We voted for GEJ in 2011 thinking is gonna take us to our destination but unfortunately he ended up putting us in the reverse mode making the country to be 20 years backward .
We gave him our vote whn he came and told us tht he has no shoes whn he was growing with d believe tht having gone thru tht experiences is.gonna make life comfortable for us rather he has taken all the once we hv and wants to cut off our legs.
I now believe the saying tht behind every successful man there must be a woman vice versa. I strongly believe that with d kind of wife GEJ and pple he has around him I believe that he got nothing to offer to d Nigerians.
GMB nd Prof. Be sure of my vote and am gonna be doing my own campaign @ grassrooot level
Glory be to God.it is not about the Christian ,professor, intellectual ,Muslim but the political structure. We have a faulty foundation that needs to be repaired .that is my submission.
Wish you all the best my new VP come 2015 Up APC Up Nija.
GMB and Prof for 2015.we support u all d way from USA. Go and implement change we need in monetary, fiscal policy and every good impact to better lives.
GEJ was at his church sometime this year. Little did he know he was dining with an ‘enemy’.
I pray we will get it right for once in this country.
I’m not a Pro-APC but I’m definitely an anti-PDP.
It is surprising when we talk about some things, without making proper findings. One thing is clear, the power belong to the people. It is up to us to make the decision in the next few weeks.
However, some days ago, I got a mail from a colleague, I had perused, confirmed the authenticity and feel the need to share with you:
Written by:
It Was PDP That Promised To Make Nigeria Ungovernable in 2011, Buhari Never Did! Jonathan Begged Buhari To Settle Libel Suit by Dr Peregrino Brimah.
For the record and your information, I, the author am definitely never PDP, but I am not APC either. I will only support the best human beings from whichever party they emanate. I am totally not a political animal; I am averse to democratic politics. The only party I ascribe to as yet and have invested thought and finance in is SNP. So for those taken to lies and slander, you can call me a paid whatever and APC author all you care, you will know deep inside that you do not even succeed in fooling yourself. My people, have never been in power, and I do not care and ever see power coming to my people. Now let’s proceed.
There are several important points to be presented here. Best highlighted:
1. Major General Muhammadu Buhari never said he will make Nigeria ungovernable in 2011 in any public format
2. It was a PDP politician, Alhaji Lawal Kaita who actually said Nigeria would be ungovernable if Jonathan became president in 2011. [Still a PDP G’master]
3. It was Jonathan’s media spokesman, Reuben Abati who sat down and largely concocted the slanderous libel against Buhari’s name in April 2011.
4. General Muhammadu Buhari took Reuben Abati to court for damaging his name.
5. The Jonathan Presidency begged Major General Buhari to settle the case with Reuben Abati and the Guardian out of court.
6. General Buhari obliged and settled out of court. Reuben Abati with The Guardian published an unreserved apology to Buhari in the Guardian of 11th July, 2013.
7. Late General Azazi referred to the PDP “ungovernable” crises and anger that did actually lead to Boko Haram terror franchise hired by the PDP.
These are amazing facts which I have been shocked to discover since I paid attention to this matter.
To imagine that the PDP can know that Buhari never made this statement and that they (the PDP Presidency) begged and apologized for it, yet all they did was kept Reuben silent and threw out other canines, Metuh and co, to continue right where Reuben stopped, is some of the most sick and evil stuff one can encounter or ever imagine. All this against the elderly, respectable General, because they see it as a fancy tool to generate animosity against their strongest single adversary… as a tool to hold on to power?
It is one thing to fabricate a lie against someone. It is another thing to transplant an evil of your doing unto a person who you know is innocent. That is the most evil, evil in the books in my humble view. This precisely is what PDP did and continues to do. Buhari was nearly bombed to death and the dogs continue to utter their putrid trash and invented slanderous concoctions against the poor elderly gentleman. It is frankly satanic. He is such a compassionate gentleman, no joke, if it was me who had all the facts you will read below, I would have been all over the place letting the truth be known and getting the slanderous liars locked up forever.
A Timeline of Lies and Slander
Major General Muhammadu Buhari never said he will make Nigeria ungovernable in 2011 in any public format
Point number one needs no referencing. I’ve done the research tons of times. Since I wrote my article, “Now that Nigeria is ungovernable, what next,” on the 15th of March, 2014, no one has commented and refuted my results. Buhari never in any public media threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable in 2011. That is final fact. Nothing more need be said.
It was a PDP politician, Alhaji Lawal Kaita who actually said Nigeria would be ungovernable if Jonathan became president in 2011. [Still a PDP G’master]
It was a PDP politician, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, who is quoted to have said,
PDP Lawal Kaita, a VP Namadi Sambo good friend; Arrested in 2006 for ‘recruiting political thugs
“The North is determined if it happens, to make Nigeria ‘ungovernable’ for President Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power on the platform of the PDP against the principle of the party’s zoning policy.”
Related: US state.gov-Lawal Kaita arrested by SSS for recruiting political thugs
The big problem was in PDP. When Yar’Adua died, PDP northern politicians wanted power to stay in the north and as such they insisted that Jonathan should not succeed him. It was PDP politicians and only PDP politicians who threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable if Jonathan emerged the party nominee and ascended to the presidency that will make the nation ungovernable, which they did. And Jonathan knew this and know them full well. He eats and dines with them but has watched us die in our thousands and lose our farming land and livelihood whole he has not brought a single one of them to book. He protects and goes to bed with them so long as they focus the ungovernability on the north. One now understand why Jonathan’s best man, former PDP Chairman and now appointed Railway head, Bamanga Tukur famously said that Boko Haram was fighting for justice and another name for justice. It’s an in house thing. Boko Haram became an invaluable tool to be hired and utilized by the party, and to be sustained as a weapon of slander against party opponents. It helped to galvanize votes by nurturing strange harmony in extremists and religious fanatics, especially northophobes who never cared to study the truth. (Truths like- northerners select southerners like Obasanjo or support Middle Belt Christians like Gowon into power; and truth like; why will northerners bomb up their own home-land and purposely destroy their chief resource – farming – to make a point).
It was Jonathan’s media spokesman, Reuben Abati who sat down and largely concocted the slanderous libel against Buhari’s name in April 2011.
Reuben abati
It was Reuben Abati of The Guardian; that our friend, that spun the yarn about Buhari. It was Reuben that sat one dark night and concocted the malicious slanderous tales, rerouting the PDP terror statement to Buhari’s person. Reuben capitalized on our sectarianism, knowing full well that to most of us, one Hausa, or Fulani man was just the same as another Hausa or Fulani(to be more correct) man. Knowing that we had heard the statement made by PDP’s Kaita, and with Buhari’s “Baboon and Gorilla” Hausa adage with which he did promise that if what happened in 2011 repeated in 2015 (note the year), the Nigeria would witness a people’s upheaval; Reuben manufactured a tale one April night in 2011 and published this in the Guardian. It was captioned, “For the attention of general Buhari.” This was the article that was well buffered to make many careless Nigerians jump on the evil and satanic bandwagon of Buhari accusers. I have again fully well described Reuben for who he is and what he did and how he did it, in the recent past. See: “Reuben Abati: Nigeria’s Most Evil Genius?” [http://ends.ng/?p=1252]
General Muhammadu Buhari took Reuben Abati to court for damaging his name.
Of course, like anyone of us would, Buhari did not fancy this and he promised to take Reuben and the Guardian to court, and he did. Buhari took them to court for libel and slander. ‘Usual suspect’ General Muhammadu Buhari’s lawyers threatened to sue the President of Nigeria’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati in a letter sent on the 11th of July, 2011 for “inventing libelous” allegations against the person of the eX-president, accusing him of instigating post-election violence. The letter was sent on behalf of General Buhari by Harrison Ogalagu for his lawyer, Tope Adebayo. The accusations had been made against him in Rueben’s Guardian newspaper publication. [See: Post Election Violence: Buhari Threatens To Sue Reuben Abati For Libel; SaharaReporters, Jul, 17 2011]
Major General Buhari to settle the case with Reuben Abati and the Guardian out of court.
This is hard to believe but true. It was in all major news media. The Jonathan Presidency did beg General Muhammadu Buhari to settle out of court. And the noble man that Buhari is; he accepted. When this was happening, many of us read it but did not really realize what matter it was about – that it was about the great tarnishing of General Buhari’s name. It was in different media under the various captions – “Presidency begs Buhari to settle slander case out of court,” in DailyPost [http://dailypost.ng/2013/01/13/presidency-begs-buhari-to-settle-slander-case-out-of-court/], and “Presidency Begs Buhari To Settle Abati Libel Suit Out Of Court,” in Leadership, etc.
Here’s a quote from leadership:
“The presidency has convinced former head of state General Muhammadu Buhari to settle out of court the libel suit he had initiated against the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.
Abati had on page 51 of the April 22, 2011, edition of The Guardian newspaper, written an opinion article entitled “For the attention of General Buhari”. In it, he claimed that Buhari made an inciting statement which led to the post-election violence that rocked some parts of the north.
The former presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), however, regarded the publication as defamatory, intended to lower his integrity and to bring him into public ridicule. Buhari consequently dragged Abati and The Guardian to court via suit no. ID/837/2011 and demanded N1billion damages from them.
But in a copy of the Terms of Settlement exclusively obtained by LEADERSHIP SUNDAY and filed before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja, the parties have agreed to settle the matter out of court.”
But after begging Buhari to make little of it, Reuben just shut up thereafter and the other Presidency’s men went right on with the very same slander. Buhari being the gentleman,
The Jonathan presidency begged the gentleman, in fact over-gentlemanly, that he is, just sits back and watches these young desperate people secure their positions in hell for a little penny. It’s really stunning and terribly sad.
General Buhari obliged and settled out of court. Reuben Abati with The Guardian published an unreserved apology to Buhari in the Guardian of 11th July, 2013.
And here is the post-settlement publication and retraction by The Guardian and Reuben Abati:
GUARDIAN Re: For the attention of General Buhari
Thursday, 11 July 2013 00:00 Editor
SIR: “On April 22, 2011, The Guardian Newspaper published an article on page 51 titled “For the attention of General Buhari” wherein certain allegations were made against General Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged role in the violence emanating from the elections.
The publication was based on information which we believed to be reliable at that time. Since the publication, however, we now have reason to believe that certain parts of the story were not verified to be correct before the publication.
We assure General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) GCFR of our highest esteem and regret any distress or embarrassment which the said publication may have caused him.” — Editor
Late General Azazi referred to the PDP “ungovernable” crises and anger that did actually lead to Boko Haram terror franchise hired by the PDP.
Of course, we all remember what made NSA General Andrew Azazi a most-wanted and the things he said before he was killed in that helicopter crash. Andrew Azazi occupied the position of the top security man in Nigeria. No one else will be privy to information on the truth of Boko Haram as the head of nation’s security. Andrew Azazi clearly knew and could not take it. He spilled the beans. And he was martyred for it. Boko Haram died when Yar’Adua destroyed them. That was the end of Boko Haram. What remained was some scampering thugs without path or finance.
But as Andrew Azazi explained to us before he was martyred; these rag tags “suddenly got sophistication and finance” as a result of PDP zoning and primary power tussles. In Azazi’s words:
“PDP got it wrong from the beginning, from the on-set by saying Mr A can rule, Mr A cannot rule, Mr B can rule, Mr B cannot rule, according to PDP’s convention, rules and regulation and not according to the constitution {applause} and that created the climate for what has manifest itself, this way. I believe that there is some element of politicization. Is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win, and if he did not win, there will be problems in this society. Let’s examine all these issues to see whether the level of violence in the North East just escalated because Boko Haram suddenly became better trained, better equipped and better funded, and in any case how did they get it all done…”
May General Andrew Owoye Azazi’s soul rest in perfect peace. We will surely avenge his death in the Lords Mighty name. Amen.
Truth is, – everyone at the top knows these things. All the politicians on both sides of the aisle know the truth; it is only you and I, the masses who have been taken for a ride here and of course, it is only us who die… well, Buhari almost did. What a shame it would have been had he passed before most of us realized what he had and is being subjected to and are able to seek his forgiveness for participating in the wicked lies against him.
These are the facts. Everyone is invited to join this discussion and contribute what they know, so the truth can finally be clearly revealed and the guilty can be shamed while the innocent can be begged for forgiveness while they are still here with us. Let the devil be the liar.
“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” – Romans 3:13
The name of our God be praised for evermore in Jesus name Amen. Faithful is He that has started a good work concerning Nigeria He will surely perfect and complete it in Jesus name Amen. Time for change is now. His case is just like David in the Bible that was at the side of the desert busy looking after the sheep and God called him forth and did the will of God. The Lord will find prof faithful and strengthen him to do His will in Jesus name Amen. He will not miss it and he will finish strong in Jesus name Amen.
God invites us to call upon Him and He will answer us all and show us great and mighty things we do not know(Jer 33: 3). Nigerians cry out for God’s mercy. Where there is no vision, the people perish. If we’ve ever needed God’s merciful intervention, it is now. Let us not be blinded and deceived by political calculators. Let God grant us a leader after His own heart not after our own unknowledgeable minds. There’s a lot of deception going on to entrap Nigeria. It only takes godly wisdom to see the gang up of satanic forces against our Nation. God is our refuge and strength and our ever present help in trouble. Cry to God to arise and scatter the enemies of His counsel in Nigeria. The Lord of hosts is with us……………He is our refuge. Save Nigeria Oh! God.
Info paragon tanks so much 4 ur information,wat am vividly sure of is dat God knows beta,I pray each &everyone dat contribute sensibly and maturely 2 dis forum wil be mercifully preservd by God beyond
2015 in Jesus name Allah will give us d best in our country,again tanks so much,God bless Nigeria!!!.