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Osinbajo: The Travails of a Sitting Vice President
By Eric Elezuo
Much as Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the pastor-Vice President and his team try to hide it, it is obvious, as observers have noted that this is not the best of times for the legal luminary, who was against all odds, chosen to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the run off to the 2015 Presidential election.
As presented to the average onlooker, things appeared to have gone down well as the rappour between the Vice President and his principal was classic, necessitating the Vice President to describe Buhari ‘like a father to him’. The President’s men have never hesitated to transmute power properly to the Vice president each time there is a reason for the President to be away from duty. In fact, between 2016 and 2017, Osinbajo assumed the exalted position of Acting President when Buhari was in and out of the hospital. This was for a whopping 150 days cumulatively. Within this period, Osinbajo took far reaching decisions that changed game plan, and surprisingly achieved results that endeared him in the hearts of not a few Nigerians.
Most of his far reaching policy decisions included ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria to pump in more foreign currency into the money market, thereby helping to douse the biting recession the country went into, albeit unnecessarily. Again, Osinbajo was instrumental in wielding the big stick leading to the sacking of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura in August 2018; a man who hails from the same area as President Buhari. Daura’s men in hoods had invaded the National Assembly; an action that was intolerable to democratic principles. Many had believed that the super spy was untouchable. But Osinbajo did the unexpected though desirable. Daura was booted out of office and replaced by Mr. Matthew Seiyefa from the Niger Delta (South South) region. Mr. Seiyefa was unceremoniously removed and retired immediately Buhari stepped foot back into the country.
Not standing for injustice, he saw to the confirmation of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria after the retirement of his predecessor. It is worthy of note that every action taken then, save for the economic decision that took the country out of recession, has been revoked, or persons involved sacked, retired or both.
The actions of the Vice President have not only been thwarted, but stakeholders believed that it has turned around, many months after, to hunt the number two citizen.
Penultimate Tuesday, the nation woke to the news that the Osinbajo-led Economic Management Team, has been disbanded, and in its stead is the Prof Doyin Salami-led Economic Advisory Council with Prof. Charles Soludo, Bismark Rewane and others as members. This committee draws its mandate straight from the President and reports directly to him. Other members are Dr Mohammed Sagagi (vice-chairman); Prof Ode Ojowu; Dr Shehu Yahaya; Dr Iyabo Masha; and Dr Mohammed Adaya Salisu (secretary).
A presidential spokesperson, in defence, said the change was made to bring “a new energy to refocus government to revamp the economy”. However, in other quarters, it was said that the vice president was underperforming, and that necessitated the sudden hammer.
But before that could die down, Buhari followed it up with an order mandating the Vice President to desist from direct supervision of all agencies under him. All instruction must henceforth pass through the President. The VP was once more stripped of his oversight functions; two of the major constitutional functions he performs. The VP’s office however, denied the issue as false. The VP may just be saddled with the responsibility of chairing the National Economic Council (NEC).
Some of these agencies which Osinbajo oversees are the National Emergency Management Agency; the National Boundary Commission; the Border Communities Development Agency, NEMA and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
Presidential source, which craves anonymity confirmed to the Boss that there may be plans on the way to further strip the VP of some of his initiatives such as the Social Investment Programme which comprises the Trader Moni initiative, N-Power, school feeding programme.
“Why do you think the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development headed by Sadiya Umar, was created. Osinbajo’s welfare programmes will soon be fused into the ministry, and then, he will go back to the markets to distribute money again.
“I may not know what preempted the sudden attacks on the VP but I can say that it is capable of ending his stewardship in the Buhari administration,” the source said.
Unconfirmed reports have suggested however, that some prominent South West sons are being pencilled down to replace Osinbajo in the case of eventual resignation or impeachment.
However, facts emerging from various sources have not faulted intimidation of the VP as reason for the ‘witch hunt’. It hinted that the cabal in Aso Rock is bent on rubbishing Mr. Vice President for his decisions, and how he came about them. A source posited that one of such decision was the sacking of Daura. It said that the vice President had ‘blackmailed’ the cabal with resignation if he was not allowed to fire Daura. Recall that the resignation of the Vice President at the time (Buhari was away and terribly sick) would have created room for the then Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to smell the Presidency, even in acting capacity. And that was one risk the cabal would never take. And so they gave in to Osinbajo’s demand, allowed him to fire Daura, and waited patiently for pay day.
The story of Onnoghen also added another twist to the problems bedeviling the VP. Another source had said that it was never in the agenda of the Buhari administration to appoint or confirm the ousted CJN, the recommendation of the Nigeria Judicial Council notwithstanding. That, according to the source, made the government swear him in on acting capacity even as he was the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court. Without much ado, Osinbajo as Acting President had forwarded Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation in February on the dot of the three months period allowed for acting, and swore him as substantive CJN a month later. This was an action the President refused to perform despite public clamour. The cabal took note, and waited.
It was obvious the VP was kept in the dark prior to the trial of Onnoghen, and his attempt to defend the President as not being aware was punctuated by the suspension handed down by the President himself even as the trial was yet to be concluded.
Buhari had justified his action, saying that “Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.”
Quoting a source, The Punch wrote, “The VP underestimated the level of vindictiveness some of these people have towards him.
“They accused Osinbajo of sidelining them when he took critical decisions during Buhari’s medical leave. If you remember, there was a lot of drama surrounding the confirmation hearing of (Walter) Onoghen and the removal of Daura.
“They were also not happy about the issue of the presidential panel on recovery of public assets. Obono-Obla developed a life of his own in handling the assignment given to him. They thought the VP was supposed to have checked him.”
But the Vice President is still carrying on as if nothing happened. He boldly posted on his twitter account of how he chaired the meeting of the NEC on Wednesday. This is as most of his personal aides have been redeployed out of the Villa, to ministries and parastatals. It is believed there’s a grand design to make the VP irrelevant.
The Office of the Vice-President has however, insisted that governance was not affected in any way by Monday’s scrapping of the Economic Management Team by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Most respondents to The Boss opinion poll said nothing has gone wrong as the Vice President still performs his constitutional role. Some believe some people are trying to create a rift between the Vice-President and his principal.
The newly created EAC will advise the President on economic policy matters, including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.
Again, it will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the President. The Chairman may, however, request for unscheduled meetings if the need arises.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has dismissed the controversy arising from the disbandment of Osinbajo’s team and many other issues as unnecessary, saying the presidency remains one. He hinted that the presidency has no plans to remove the Social Investment Programme from Osinbajo’s control.
“Nothing out of the ordinary is going on. Governance continues and the Presidency remains one. And this Presidency just wants to do what’s best for Nigeria,” he said.
He lambasted some Nigerians for trying to create another meaning to the issue on the ground and create enmity the President and the Vice-President.
But the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, believes Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s office has been rendered useless, impotent and irrelevant though it cautions against hasty decision.
“For now we will not jump into any premature conclusion that this is about 2023 alone. We will need to know if we will need more information to know whether it is political or whether there was abuse of office or process.
“But the barrage of the last 48 hours shows that there is something wrong. We will wait to have all the facts because we don’t want to say a Yoruba man is being attacked.
“They may have had a justifiable reason to do so. But we are taking note of every development and at the appropriate time, we will make our position known. But clearly, what has happened is that the VP’s office has been rendered impotent, useless and irrelevant,” the group said.
The Nigeria Vice President is empowered by the Constitution to participate in all cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership of the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the Chairman of National Economic Council.
His other duties are as determined by the President. Going by how vice presidents are chosen in Nigeria, it is not surprising that most of them are not given juicy functions. They sit and wait upon the whims and caprices of Mr. President. The selection of the vice presidential running mates most of the time are by arrangement, with or without the presidential candidate’s express permission, and Osinbajo was no exception. His emergence was a product of the alliance of three parties the CPC, ACN, and ANPP with a minute fraction of APGA led former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.
Political watchers are of the opinion that if Buhari was in need of a vice president, it would definitely not be an Osibanjo. Many had believed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is the typical example of a badly treated vice president, but Osinbajo is fast overtaking the trend.
It must not be forgotten that only last month, Buhari had instructed that all ministerial authorities be channeled through his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, for approval just as issues concerning the Federal Executive Council were also instructed to go through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Observers have questioned ‘wherein lies the vice president in all these.
Osinbajo, according to a respondent, may just have to make do with sharing tradermoni for now, attending condolence visits and enjoying the pleasures that come with being a VP while it lasts. And only God knows how soon it will last.
By Eric Elezuo
The Nigerian political circle is fast taking shape as the 2027 presidential election draws closer. As a result, permutations regarding who contests for what position, and under what platform is gaining momentum.
From every indication, three political parties have so far shown cause as the main platforms of choice, that is if feelers from the reviving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its newest bride, former President Goodluck Jonathan, are anything to ignore.
The parties are the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the erstwhile coalition group, African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the freshly introduced Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). One common denomination attached to these political parties is that they all congresses.
Among the three frontline parties is the NDC, whose life was recently enhanced with the inclusion of two south and north politicians; Mr Peter Obi, who contested under the umbrella of the Labour Party in 2023, and unarguably made serious in-roads even as a newcomer, and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, who contested under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Kwankwaso’s influence was restricted to his native Kano State, but garnered a total of 1.4 million votes across boards. Today, the two politicians are joining forces in what has been termed Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement to attempt to wrestle power from President Bola Tinubu. Both are also bringing with them their vocal movements; the Obidients and the Kwankwasiyya.
But analysts, stakeholders and observers alike have various considered the alliance of the two political heavyweights, wondering if the marriage is of strange bedfellows that may discard each other in the nearest future, or if there is any iota of seriousness among them that can lead to materializing its lofty objectives.
Recall that on Sunday, May 3, the duo of Obi and Kwankwaso dumped the ADC, and joined the NDC, blaming external interference and unending litigation that may hinder aspirants in the party from actualising their aspirations in 2027.
The move comes just nine months after Obi, Kwankwaso and the defacto leader of the coalition, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar joined the ADC. However, from available indices, the coalition quickly became mired in legal battles over party leadership. Obi blamed the new obstacles set before the party were direct consequences of the Tinubu-led Federal Government.
“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC,” Obi had said while being received by the NDC leadership.
It is important to out on record that various voices speaking for Tinubu and federala Government have denied that they have in the quagmire that befell ADC, or has been trying to sabotage opposition parties.
Speaking afterwards, both men called for national unity, greater opportunities for young people, and an end to the infighting that has plagued Nigeria’s opposition.
However, their decision risks upsetting allies within the coalition built around the ADC, which had been positioning itself as the main vehicle for opposition unity.
Some figures within the bloc have privately expressed a sense of betrayal, raising fresh doubts about whether Nigeria’s fragmented opposition can sustain a coordinated challenge against President Tinubu, who celebrated his 74th birthday in March.
Across sectors, platforms and political corners, the influence of the Obi-Kwankwaso combination continues to grow given the political terrain a new agenda for discussion.
However, many stakeholders, among whim the very informed, have said that the union may end as abruptly as it started, stressing that political equilibrium or exigency are mostly not determined by absolutely loyalty, but most of the times by self interest and aggradizement. This, they said may turn out to be the hallmark of Alhaji Kwankwaso.
Some have reasoned that the five years age difference between Obi and Kwankwaso, with Kwankwaso having the upper hand, the academic superior of the former Kano governor, and his lengthier days in his political sojourn may form the criteria for him to refuse whatever arrangement already on the ground, including playing the running mate fiddle to Obi.
But even at that, it is important to note that Barack Obama was 47 years old when he became president, and his Vice, Joe Biden, was 66 years old. So Kwankwaso is not going to set a world record as vice that is older than his principal? Definitely not.
Another group has hinted that Kwankwaso is only oiling his own personal path to 2031, when the coast will be ripe for the candidate of northern extraction to vie for the presidency.
“Consequently, his intention is far from working for Obi’s victory nor Atiku, for neither of the two can conveniently bow out in 2031. The only person permitted by law not to seek election in 2031 is President Tinubu, if he wins the 2027 election. So, conveniently, any ambitious person with eye on the presidency will definitely want Tinubu to win,” a source told The Boss.
Another school of thought has hinted that with the sudden interest of Goodluck Jonathan in the presidency, the path may be cleared for Kwankwaso to deputize for Jonathan instead of Obi. However, as at the time that membership registration register was closed on May 10, 2026, Jonathan was a member of the Turaki-led PDP while Kwankwaso is still in the NDC.
But Kwankwaso in his speech during the inaugural convention of the NDC insisted that the presidency should be zoned to the South, noting that the south should be allowed to complete its eight years tenure. Whether he meant that for his new party, or for the Tinubu administration, the speech explains in details:
Fellow Nigerians,
It is with immense pleasure and a deep sense of fulfilment that I address you today on this historic occasion of the National Convention of our great party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Abuja.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The world is undergoing a profound geopolitical shift, yet our nation has been caught unprepared, largely because of poor leadership. Instead of positioning Nigeria to seize emerging opportunities, bad governance has left us bearing the brunt of global changes.
We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. Millions have been displaced from their homes. Investments are fleeing, critical infrastructure is neglected, the education system is collapsing, and harsh economic policies have been imposed on citizens without meaningful safety nets or relief.
Yet Nigeria’s history teaches us that in our most challenging moments, visionary alliances have provided the way forward. In 1954, a historic partnership was formed between the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), led by Aminu Kano and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe to achieve national unity.
Again, in 1960, against steep odds, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) formed a coalition with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) to birth our independence.
In the Second Republic, the alliance between Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) helped restore civilian rule and national unity after years of military dictatorship.
It is therefore with great sense of unity and solidarity, that as a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South, so that it allows the region to complete its turn in producing national leadership.
This represents a true opportunity for true national healing. We shall work in abidance with the party’s agreement to ensure fairness and federal character in all ramifications.
This party shall also ensure to change the way things are done today by prioritising leadership without ethnic jingoism and religious favouritism.
The leadership standard we shall set will therefore restore Nigeria’s dignity and will guarantee that our citizens at home and the diaspora will be treated with respect and dignity.
Lastly, we can only achieve that by continuing to mobilise to register with INEC to vote, and the NDC to belong to this noble cause. Please register, today.
Thank you.
Long Live the Nigeria Democratic Congress!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
From every indication, the dumping of Obi by Kwankwaso may remain a page in a fiction narrative, since it is absolutely impossible for more defections to occur at this time, according to the new Electoral Act 2026.
However, the page of whether he is totally in support of Obi as his principal, still remains unwritten and blank. What is obvious is the two, by present political exigency, may lead the charge as NDC attempt to dislodge Tinubu as president, and also stop Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who may lead the ADC attack, from making any headway.
By May 30 according to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) table, all flag bearers would have been known and observers are throwing their hats in the ring to predict another 3-horse race, exactly as witnessed in 2023.
What would change would depend heavily on the homework every candidate has done prior to this time, and the alliances created on and off the political circle.
But would Kwankwaso Dump Obi at this time, the answer is likely in the negative. The level of cohesion he is willing to give is what however, that is still contentious about.
Time is almost at hand!
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has thrown the 2027 race wide open by zoning
its presidential ticket to the South for a single four-year term, a move that instantly puts Peter Obi and other southern aspirants in play.
The decision came at the party’s national convention on Saturday after a motion by Rep. Afam Victor Ogene of Anambra’s Ogbaru constituency. Delegates adopted it without dissent.
Under the arrangement, the South gets the ticket for 2027 only. Once that four-year term ends, the ticket automatically shifts back to the North.
The zoning formula settles months of backroom jostling inside the NDC over where the party should field its standard-bearer. By locking the North into a wait-and-hold position, the convention has effectively cleared the runway for southern heavyweights to move.
For Obi, the former Anambra governor who ran in 2023, the resolution removes the biggest structural hurdle to picking up the NDC’s form. Other southern aspirants now have the same green light to purchase and process nomination forms.
Party leaders framed the deal as a balance between regional equity and political strategy ahead of 2027. Critics inside the party will watch whether the “automatic” handoff to the North holds once the race gets hot.
For now, the South has its window. The question is who walks through it first.
The Senate has amended its Standing Orders, limiting eligibility to contest for its presiding officers and principal officers to only members of the 10th Senate.
In the new rules, a senator shall only qualify to contest for Senate Presidency and Deputy Senate Presidency if he/she has won election to the Senate for at least one term of four years.
To be eligible to contest for any principal office, a senator must have won election for two consecutive periods, the last one must immediately precede the inauguration of the next Senate.
By implication, any senator who plans to vie to become a presiding officer in the 11th Senate (2027-20231) must have been a senator for at least one term preceding the inauguration.
For principal offices (chief whip, deputy whip, minority whip, etc), the senator must have been a member of the current 10th Senate, or they are not eligible to contest.
Under the new provision on “qualification of presiding officers”, it is stated in Order 3,”A Senator vying for the Office of the President of the Senate and the Deputy President of the Senate must have served at least one term of four (4) years in the Senate as a senator of the Federal Republic.”
Similarly, nomination for the positions shall strictly follow ranking in the following order: former president of the Senate; former deputy president of the Senate; former principal officers of the Senate; senators who had served for at least one term of four (4) years; and senators who had been members of the House of Representatives.
According to the provision, it is only the absence of the above that a first-term senator can be nominated to contest for the positions of presiding officers.
Under Order 5, a senator seeking to be a principal officer must have “served as a senator for at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding such nomination. “
The Senate passed the rules after a lengthy executive session presided over by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday.
The new rules impliedly gives Akpabio, other former presiding officers, principal officers and ranked senators the right of first refusal.
Findings indicated that the new rules might be what some sources described as “self-serving” or designed to serve the interest of the present presiding officers and members of the 10th Senate.
For instance, some State governors contesting the 2027 election to the Senate in the hope of vying for the presidency of the Senate, are effectively barred by the new rules.
It was also learnt that even within the Senate, the new rules will stop some senators from vying to become principal officers as they would not have attained two consecutive terms prior to 2027.
