Senator Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed deep regret over the failure to elect Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Nigeria’s president in the 2023 election. Ojudu, a strong supporter of Osinbajo, stated that the decision to vote against him was akin to missing a second chance to elect a leader of the caliber of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
In an interview with Edmund Obilo on the State Affairs program, Ojudu reflected on his conviction to back Osinbajo during the last general election. He emphasized his belief in Osinbajo’s leadership potential, describing the former Vice President as the best person to lead Nigeria at the time.
Ojudu further lauded Osinbajo’s capacity, knowledge, and patriotism, noting that he had observed the former Vice President closely and found him to possess the qualities necessary to effectively govern the country.
“I supported Osinbajo to be president. I was convinced because having seen him up close—the way he worked, his philosophy, his breadth of knowledge, and the kind of patriotic verve in him. I just think that he was the best person at that time to govern Nigeria,” Ojudu said.
He continued by likening Osinbajo’s qualities to those of Awolowo, who is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected political figures. “For me, it is like losing Awolowo for a second time because he was at Awolowo’s level in terms of capacity, ability, dedication, and commitment,” Ojudu stated.
Osinbajo, who contested for the presidential ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, lost the party’s primary election to President Bola Tinubu. Despite the setback, Osinbajo’s supporters, like Ojudu, remain steadfast in their belief that he would have made an exceptional president for Nigeria.
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