Ndifreke Jacob, Uyo.
Former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said that Nigeria missed out on the opportunity to have an innovative leader like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as its President.
According to Sanusi, Nigeria would have been better off if Osinbajo had been elected as President.
The former Central Bank governor made this statement at the virtual launch of a book titled “Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader”.
Sanusi, who was also a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, praised Osinbajo’s intellectual prowess and willingness to engage in debates, adding that Nigeria would have been better off if he had been elected president.
He expressed hope that Osinbajo would continue to serve and advise the country in whatever capacity he finds himself in the future.
Recall in 2022, Osinbajo contested for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries against the likes of President-elect Bola Tinubu and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
His decision to run for presidency against his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was heavily criticised by Tinubu’s supporters.
Despite the criticism, Osinbajo stood his ground and pursued his presidential ambition.
His insistence to run for Presidency despite the criticism was seen as a demonstration of his independence and strength of character by some Nigerians.
While Osibanjo did not win the primary, his campaign resonated with many Nigerians, who admired his vision for a better Nigeria following his contribution to the current administration as Vice President to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, Sanusi’s lamentation underscores the need for Nigeria to elect leaders who are committed to the common good and have the intellectual capacity to lead the country to greater heights.
According to Sanusi, with Osinbajo’s proven track record of excellence, Nigeria would have been better stabilized and moving forward.
He said ‘’And I dare say, we all agree that Nigeria is worse off for not having someone like him (Osinbajo) as president, but I do hope that he will be available to serve and to advise and to put in his best for the country and continue to do.
“So I’m sure he will, in whatever capacity he finds himself in the future, and maybe we’ll still be lucky to have him lead us at some point or take some leadership role as a statesman,” Sanusi added.
