The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the fate of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election can only be determined by the president himself and not the party.
The party therefore said it would not force the President to choose his incumbent deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), as his running mate.
Recall that Buhari had recently informed the leadership of APC of his intention to seek re-election in the 2019 general election.
But while informing the National Executive Committee of the APC of his interest to seek re-election in 2019 in Abuja on Monday, Buhari kept everyone guessing on who would be his running mate in his bid to get a second term as President.
Buhari did not indicate, at the meeting, that he would pick any other candidate apart from Osinbajo, whom he had previously praised to the high heavens.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said, “You know it is not the duty of the party to impose someone on the presidential candidate. In any case, if the President emerges as the party’s candidate, we won’t impose anyone on him. Remember he (Buhari) is not going to be the sole aspirant?
“But it is the duty and the responsibility of the candidate to pick whosoever he likes and he is ready to work with. It is not the duty of the party to pick or impose anyone on him. No, that is not democracy.
“So, if President Buhari emerges as our candidate, he is the one to pick and also announce his running mate.”