Osinbajo has not declared interest in presidential race, says spokesman

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has described the speculations that he will contest the 2023 presidential election as a distraction.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Osinbajo is eyeing the highest office in the land.

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In a statement which Laolu Akande, his spokesman, issued on his behalf on Monday, the vice-president said it is not true that he has declared interest in the race.

“The attention of the Office of the Vice President has been drawn to a website:supportosinbajo.ng that is calling on Nigerians to join a volunteer group mobilizing support for Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

“Details of this website and the solicitation of the group are currently trending on WhatsApp with a suggestion that Prof. Osinbajo has “quietly” declared interest in the 2023 election.

“The Office of the Vice President is not in any way connected to this website or the group behind it and considers such an enterprise an unnecessary distraction. Prof. Osinbajo has not declared any interest whatsoever in the 2023 election, but he is rather focused on working in his capacity as Vice President in the current administration to address all the compelling issues in the country and concerns of Nigerians, including finding effective and lasting solutions to the security challenges.

“Therefore, we ask that people desist from such unhelpful permutations while we all deal together with the challenges confronting us as Nigerians, and resolve them for the benefit of our people, peace and prosperity in the land,” the statement read.