—As Tinubu loyalists warn

Following the pressure currently being mounted on the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to join the 2023 presidential race, there is fear of a looming division in All Progressives Congress . This is mainly because of an alleged agreement within the Alhaji Bola Tinubu-led Political Family “on succession.”

Keen observers said if Osinbajo bows to pressure and joins the presidential race after Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has formally joined the race, there will be a major division both within the political party and in APC.

 Meanwhile, there are reports that team Osinbajo, alleged to have gained links with a section of the cabal around President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to defeat moneybags at the All Progressives Congress, APC, convention.

Just at the weekend, a group of northern pressure groups called on the vice president not to be deterred from contesting for the Presidential seat in the 2023 General Election by any alleged agreement.

A member of the movement and member representing Kaltungo/Shango Federal Constituency, Gombe State, Simon Karu stated this in Kano while fielding questions from newsmen on insinuations that there was a written agreement between the Vice President, Osinbajo and the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu, about a succession plan.

According to Karu, “On the issue of negotiation or any arrangements, it could be a thing that has been practised in the past but Nigerians and the youths today say Nigeria is not for sale.

“We say no to any agreement prior to this generation. Nigerians and the youths must decide who leads them and not a team of persons who discuss our future on behalf of us.

“We therefore called on Prof Osinbajo to yield our call to vie for the president. We know his competence and capability and we are looking forward to when he will heed our call.

“We believe in the candidature of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. We have a man who embodies qualities of leadership and has proven over time to be the most dedicated and loyal Vice President,” Karu stated.

Earlier, in a communique by the movement and read by Chairman Delta State Osinbajo Grassroot organization, Prof. David JT. Ejenobo, called on the ruling party, APC to hand over the party’s flag bearer to the Vice President for continuity and consolidation of the giant strides project initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Also, some youth groups under the umbrella of the National Coalition of Youth and Students (NACOYS) have asked Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to run for the office of the presidency in 2023.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Festus Ofume, NACOYS National Coordinator, said Osinbajo is “most qualified” to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari.”

NewsOrient’s checks show that there is sharp division among the leaders of the political family from which Osinbajo emerged in Lagos/Ogun axis as some of them said it is unthinkable the Vice President will contest against Alhaji Bola Tinubu, the leader of the political family, who has already expressed interest in the position while others said the Vice President’s candidacy, if given support by critical stakeholders outside the southwest