Nigerian lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has offered a critical assessment of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, describing him as a calm and mild-mannered individual who lacked the aggressive political ambition often associated with those who rise to Nigeria’s highest political office.
Farotimi made the remarks during an interview with media personality Edmund Obilo, where he reflected on Osinbajo’s personality and political journey. Drawing from his personal experience, Farotimi noted that Osinbajo had once been his teacher, which he said gave him insight into the former vice president’s character.
According to him, Osinbajo’s temperament set him apart from many Nigerian politicians who are often perceived as highly ambitious and politically aggressive. He described the former vice president as someone who rarely projected a threatening or domineering presence in political circles.
Farotimi suggested that this calm disposition may have played a role in Osinbajo’s emergence as vice president in 2015. In his view, political leaders sometimes select deputies whose personalities are unlikely to challenge their authority or create tension within the administration.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. During that period, he also served as Acting President on several occasions when Buhari was outside the country for medical treatment or official engagements.
However, Farotimi argued that the qualities required to occupy the vice-presidential office may differ from those needed to successfully pursue the presidency. According to him, individuals who aspire to lead a country like Nigeria must possess an extraordinary level of self-belief, political boldness, and determination.
While acknowledging Osinbajo’s intellectual capacity and proximity to power during his time in office, Farotimi concluded that the former vice president’s personality may not have aligned with the type of relentless political ambition often required to secure the presidency in Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment.See_More…