Full text of Speech by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s declaration to run for President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
For the past seven years, I have served as Vice President under a true Nigerian Patriot, a servant of the nation in war and peace, a man of integrity – President Muhammadu Buhari. We have together worked through some of the most difficult times in the history of our nation but we have remained focused on securing the country, providing infrastructure and growing our economy.
As stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution, our tenure will end next year. In this period of seven years, I have served the government in several capacities and perhaps at the direction of Mr. President, represented our country at certain high-level engagements. I have been to practically all Local Governments in Nigeria, I have been to markets, schools, in farms.
I have been in agricultural, mining and all producing communities in the Delta, in Kebbi, in Enugu, Rivers, Borno, Plateau, Ondo and in other states of the Federation listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people. I have visited our gallant troops in the North East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I have felt the pain and anguish of victims of violent conflict, terrorist attacks, flooding, fire and other disasters. I have been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country.
I have sat with our techpreneurs in Lagos, Edo and Kaduna, with our Nollywood and Kannywood actors, with our musicians from Lagos and Kano, I have spoken to founders of small and large businesses and stood where they stood and sat where they sat. I know their hopes and aspirations, their fears, I believe that in those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.
I believe that the very reason why the Almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights and these opportunities is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great people. Which is why I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party The All Progressive Congress. If by the grace of God, I am the will of the people and I am given the opportunity then I believe that first, we must complete what we have started:
– Radically transforming our Security and Intelligence architecture.
– completing the reform of our Justice System, focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of Judicial Personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observance of the Rule of Law.
– Rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways and broadband connectivity.
– Providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive.
– Taking the agricultural revolution to the next level especially mechanization and developing the farm to table value chain.
– Making sure that the government, its agencies and regulators serve the business community.
– Creating a Tech Economy that will provide jobs for millions of young Nigerians. Enhancing our Social Investment Programme to a full-scale Social Welfare Programme.
– Completing the promise of lifting a hundred million Nigerians out of poverty within this decade.
– Completing the task of ensuring that all Nigerians male and female attend school. Reforming our education system for relevance to the challenges of this sector.
– Completing the task of universal health coverage for all.
– Strengthening the capacity of State and Local Governments to deliver on their respective mandate.
Above all, front and centre of our efforts will be the provision of jobs and opportunities for our young people. I solemnly and respectfully seek the support of fellow Nigerians everywhere in this land and the diaspora, young and old, male and female in the great and exciting journey that we have ahead of us.
I seek your own support. We will be working together to establish by the grace of God the Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build from the foundation laid by our predecessors, we will need to move with much speed, intentionality and perseverance towards the vision of a prosperous, stable and secure nation.
I am convinced beyond doubt that we have the creativity, courage and talent to be the foremost black nation on earth. Let us now birth the expectations of greatness conceived generations before us. Let us build a Nigeria where the man from Nnewi sees the man from Dutse as his brother. Where the woman in Warri sees the woman in Jalingo as her sister.
Where the love of our nation burns alike in the hearts of boys and girls from Gboko to Yenagoa, where everywhere in this land is home for everyone, where our diversities, our tribes and faiths unite us rather than divide us. Let our tribes become one tribe, a Nigerian tribe where all are treated fairly, justly and with respect. Where all are given equal access to the abundance of opportunities that God has blessed our nation with.
It is Time!
God bless and keep our Republic and her great people.
God bless you.
