By Jude Opara, Abuja 

Even as no date has been fixed for its national convention, a group of stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified the lobbying of highly-placed party members to join its efforts towards mobilizing support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

 In a three page letter, group known as the Progressives Consolidation Group (PCG)  wrote the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan and other top party leaders of the party.
The letter also indicates that several state governors of the APC, principal officers in the Senate and House of Representatives, members of the APC National Caretaker Committee, former and serving federal legislators, other stakeholders as well as the political aides of Vice President Osinbajo are being lobbied to take part in the mobilization process. The PCG’s letter dated July 14, 2021, and titled: ‘APC and the Future of Nigeria: Why We Must Get it Right and Consider Osinbajo Option in 2023′ and signed by the duo of Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed ( National Coordinator and Dr. Eberechukwu Eli Dibia ( National Secretary) stressed the need for early preparations towards ensuring that Prof. Osinbajo and some elements in the present administration emerge to improve on the legacies of the APC and President Buhari. “Your Excellency, we are writing you as the Senate President and as one of the National Leaders of our Party and by whatever parameter of assessment, you remain one of those citizens whom God has chosen to elevate to impact our history through the performance of constitutional responsibilities as well as other innumerable lines of action. “With history in mind, we, members of the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG) hereby solemnly join our voices with that of many others in appealing that you throw your weight behind our call for consideration of an Osinbajo successor administration after that of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, would have run a full course in 2023. “We believe – without any iota of doubt – that giving a worthy element within the system such as Vice President Osinbajo the chance to lead would not only enrich the system; it would certainly be the best assurance of stability and progress for extant developmental objectives,” they stated. The letter further revealed that members of the group includes; sitting and former State Governors, serving and former legislators, leaders of women and youths groups, and many stakeholders from the national and state chapters of the APC. “Against this background, it is apparent that the dynamics and outcome of the seventh national election since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 would significantly determine the future of Nigeria’s democracy and development. “Thus, it is with this great sense of reasoning and respect for leaders like you as well as future generations, that we strongly appeal to you as a major stakeholder in the affairs of our Party to join hands with us by asking other stakeholders in the Party to consider Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as an appropriate person to fly our party’s the presidential flag comes in 2023,” they stressed. The PCG pointed out that their aim was  beyond mere politics, adding that the task of inspiring party members ‘towards shared consciousness of insightful search for President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor come 2023’ should not be left to chance or last minute ‘survival of the fittest’ contests.