… As Group drums support for Osinbajo for 2023***

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says Africans must continue to make extra efforts to ensure that elections, through the democratic process, remain transparent and fair.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, stated on Monday in Abuja that the vice-president made the remark while receiving visiting President-elect of Sao Tome and Principe, Mr Carlos Nova.

Sao Tome and Principe went to the polls on July 18 to elect a successor to replace President Evaristo Carvalho, whose tenure from 2016 expired on Sept. 2.

Based on constitutional provisions, an outright winner did not emerge from the polls and a run-off led to the emergence of Nova, who will be sworn in October.

“There is no question at all that for those of us in Africa, we must make the extra effort to ensure that the democratic process is very transparent.

“It is such a pleasure to see that that was what took place in your country which led to your election,’’ Osinbajo was quoted as saying.

Osinbajo also spoke on cooperation between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe.

“We already talked about some of the areas of cooperation. Your tenure might be an opportunity to bring some of those things to fruition,’’ he said.

Osinbajo reassured Nova of Nigeria’s support to ensure that his tenure was as comfortable and effective as possible as partners and friends.

In his remarks, Nova expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting Sao Tome and also thanked Osinbajo for his attention.

Also read: VP’s wife calls for greater investment in girl-child education

According to him, Nigeria is a friendly country and the relationship between both countries dates back many years.

In attendance at the meeting was the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada and a member of the Sao Tome and Principe’s cabinet, Mr Americo Ramos.

In the meantime, the Progressive Consolidation Group for Osinbajo 2023, a pressure group has stressed the need for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Dr Aliyu Rabiu- Kurfi, the chairman of the group stated this when he led other members to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in Lafia on Monday.

He said that the group was in the state to drum support for Osinbajo to become the president in 2023.

Rabiu- Kurfi said that members of the group cut across the six geo- political zones of the state.

”We are in the House of Assembly on voluntary mission in the interest of the party and the country at large.

” We are on a mission for Osinbajo for President come 2023 for a smooth transition,” he said.

Responding, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House said that the lawmakers would support the position taken by Gov. Abdullahi Sule on the issue at the appropriate time.

”When the time to choose who will be the country’s next president, the position that will be taken by Sule will be the position and direction of the House.

The speaker, who emphasised that the state was one of the few states in the country that have absolute stability in APC said that the state would continue to remain one united family beyond 2023.

” Here in Nasarawa State, we have our leader, our father, who is the governor. The governor is our leader and we shall be looking unto him to give us direction.

” Whatever Sule agreed on is our position, his position is the position of the House.

” Yes, the Vice President, all Nigerians know that he is a very loyal person to Mr President, he is also very hardworking, we are looking at him and the President as twins brothers.

” Nobody has any reason to go against the vice president, our expectation is for him to continue to be loyal and hardworking,” the speaker said.

Balarabe-Abdullahi promised to continue to synergise with the governor for good working relationship to ensure that the people get dividends of democracy