Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State has described Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the number one confidante of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Kaduna state governor made this remark when the Vice President paid him a visit on Sunday in continuation of his consultations with APC stakeholders and delegates across the country.
Governor El-Rufai also praised Prof. Osinbajo for having the respect of all the state governors in Nigeria, across party lines; and for being empathetic.
“He is not just here because he is running for president. He is here because he has a close affinity with the government and people of Kaduna State.
“I want those that don’t know, our party leaders and delegates, to know that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has always shown uncommon love for the people of Kaduna State,” Governor El-Rufai said of Prof. Osinbajo.
The governor also noted that he had worked closely with the Vice President in the last seven years and that he had proven to be a man of intellect and brilliance; as well as a unifier, and a detribalised Nigerian.
He also stated that it was under Osinbajo’s leadership that the Paris Club refund, deducted in 2005, was finally paid to all the states, and recommendations were made to bail out 27 states, that, in 2015 were unable to pay salaries.
Governor El-Rufai said the Vice President deserved to be voted president and urged the delegates to vote for the best person that will take Nigeria to the “promised land.”
Osinbajo in Kebbi State
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also in Kebbi State where the Deputy Governor, Samaila Yombe, harped on the need for continuity of government, backing Osinbajo to emerge victorious at the polls.
At a meeting with the delegates in the states, Prof. Osinbajo stated that Nigeria was at a crucial stage in her history where continuity in government was needed to ensure the completion of ongoing development projects started by the Buhari administration.
In a courtesy call to the Palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, the Vice President said, “I’ve served as Vice President for the past seven years under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“During that seven-year period, I have had the unique opportunity to work with an open and transparent President.
“My experience is crucial, especially in governing a country of our size. This is why I decided to put myself forward to serve as President.
“There are other people vying for that position (of the president); several competent Nigerians and competent members of our party, the APC.
“We all know that all power belongs to the Almighty God.
“He is the one who determines who rules; we can only hope and pray and put ourselves forward.
“I believe strongly that the stage that our country is at is one that requires continuity of the sort that will enable us to achieve great results.”
He listed the ongoing infrastructure projects that require completion such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, and the Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri rail project.
With about a week to the APC’s presidential primary, the Vice President has visited 28 states, and the FCT, in his nationwide interactions with the ruling party delegates and stakeholders.
