In continuation of his countrywide consultations on his presidential aspiration, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has visited Jigawa State, asking APC delegates and other stakeholders to “vote in the interest of their children.”
Speaking on Saturday in Dutse, the state capital, the Professor of Law and Buhari’s deputy for two terms, described his conversations with them as very fruitful.
Osinbajo’s main message was that decisions on the 2023 elections should be based on what is in “Nigeria’s best interests.”
Reports reaching Persecondnews said Osinbajo was received by a crowd of supporters at the airport while thousands of people lined the streets cheering the nation’s number two citizen.
Top government officials led by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Fanini Adamu, who represented Gov. Badaru Abubakar and APC chieftains were on hand to receive him.
The governor was out of town at the time of the visit.
At an interactive session with the delegates, the Vice-President restated that decisions about the 2023 polls should be based on “what is best for the country, its destiny and future as a nation.”
“We should make a decision based on the future of our children. We can make progress; we can move on.
“All I ask you to do is what is in the best interest of Nigeria, vote in the interest of our children.”
He also harped on his training and experience in governance as Vice-President under President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that it would help him to lead the country effectively as president in 2023, if given the ticket and elected under the APC platform.
“As Vice-President, the President has given me an opportunity that I do not think any other vice president has been given.”
In a chat with newsmen after the meeting, Osinbajo noted that that he was happy with the interactions with the Jigawa delegates.
“Obviously, all the issues that we discussed are issues that concern the country very significantly. We talked about agriculture, we talked about youth empowerment, education, technology and a wide variety of issues.
“I think it was extremely fruitful, and at least we all understand where we are coming from and where we ought to be in the few years ahead. All of us are very happy that we were able to have this engagement,” he said.
Delegates who spoke during the interactive session, included members of the State House of Assembly, Local Government officials, grassroot leaders and women leaders.
Many of the delegates spoke about the successes of the Social Investment Programmes, especially the National Homegrown School Feeding programme which the delegates recalled offered first time jobs for several women.
They also commended the contributions of the VP to the programmes and lauded other achievements of the Buhari administration including the efforts to make fertilizer available and affordable, a benefit much enjoyed in Jigawa State.
Others at the interaction highlighted the reputation of the VP as “a man of proven integrity and fear of God,” and his “excellent track record, loyalty and support of Mr. President.”
Delegates, however, wished that if and when Osinbajo is elected President, he should expand the SIP, ensure youth and women engagements in government as well as provide Federal support to Jigawa State’s agrarian economy.
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