Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has recounted how his emergence as the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari in the buildup to the 2015 general election was strongly opposed by some prominent Christian leaders.
Speaking in a video clip aired by TVC, Osinbajo explained that his selection as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) triggered deep divisions among senior Pentecostal figures. According to him, while a few openly welcomed the development, others rejected his candidacy outright.
He specifically mentioned Bishop Mike Okonkwo as one of the few who backed him from the onset, Osinbajo revealed that Okonkwo not only endorsed him publicly but also encouraged him to appear before a gathering of top Pentecostal leaders to present his case and possibly win their support for the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket.
However, events at that meeting took a different turn, Osinbajo said that upon arriving at the venue, he waited outside as discussions were ongoing, only to discover that several of the influential pastors inside had firmly objected to his presence, some reportedly described his nomination as inappropriate and insisted he should not be admitted into the hall.
The situation, he recalled, grew so tense that arguments nearly escalated into a confrontation among the leaders themselves, eventually, he was advised to leave quietly to prevent further conflict, and he complied.
Narrating the incident in his own words, Osinbajo said: “A gathering of respected Pentecostal leaders was convened to deliberate on my candidacy, Bishop Mike, who had stood by me, requested that I attend so I could speak for myself, when I got there, I waited in the reception area, to my surprise, several of the key figures argued strongly that I must not be allowed to join the meeting, they viewed my nomination as unacceptable.
Bishop Mike was visibly upset, wondering why someone they all knew as a pastor and a fellow believer was being denied the chance to explain himself, as tempers flared and the situation became almost confrontational, I was advised to withdraw, which I did.”
Osinbajo’s recollection sheds light on the tensions within the Christian community at the time and the resistance he faced even among peers who knew him personally before he eventually went on to serve as Nigeria’s Vice President for eight years.
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