2023: Osibanjo is Buhari’s natural successor – Rep

A House of Representatives member representing Tarauni Federal Constituency in Kano State, Hafizu Kawu, has described Vice President Yemi Osibanjo as the natural successor of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2023 election.

Addressing a press conference in Kano on Monday, Mr Kawu, a former aide to Mr Osibanjo, said the Vice President has what it takes to succeed Mr Buhari for his “experience and versatility”.

The lawmaker said that even though the vice president had not yet declared his intention to contest for the presidency, he is the most suitable candidate to succeed Mr Buhari.

According to him, Mr Osibanjo has the capacity, experience, and capability to lead Nigeria over every aspirant in the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He said: “The Vice President has the capacity to improve the economy of the country in view of the fact that he is the one who designed all social investment programmes that have positively impacted millions of Nigerians.

“I am sure the VP would continue from where Mr President stopped because he has the mindset of developing Nigeria. He is the natural successor of the President. Nigeria is in his heart. He believes so much in Nigeria. He is a leader by example.

“He is a loyal VP and his performance as a Vice President is unprecedented. Even when he acted as the president on several occasions, Mr Nice President had performed very well, so he has the experience to become the nation’s leader come 2023,” Mr Kawu said.

When asked about the presidential ambition of the National Leader of APC, Bola Tinubu, Mr Kawu said, “Tinubu has not declared his presidential ambition. Even if he declares, the party knows how to sort it out.”

On the rumoured support of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to Mr Tinubu, the lawmaker said the governor had never declared his support for the former governor of Lagos State for presidency.

He also expressed optimism that APC would be out of its lingering crises at state and national levels, expressing hope that the ruling party would emerge victorious in the 2023 elections across the country.