Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s decision to step back from active partisan politics after the 2023 general election may have spared him from the controversies surrounding the current administration, according to lawyer and public affairs commentator Ekene Aninze.
In a commentary, Aninze argued that Osinbajo appeared to have learned valuable lessons from his time as vice president under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which faced widespread criticism over its performance.
He suggested that Osinbajo’s defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary ahead of the 2023 election marked a significant turning point in his political career, saying it appeared to have diminished his interest in frontline politics.
According to Aninze, although the administration of President Bola Tinubu reportedly made efforts to involve Osinbajo, including an alleged attempt to have him lead the President’s legal team at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, the former vice president chose to remain outside the administration.
The commentator noted that Osinbajo has largely stayed away from APC political activities since 2023, instead focusing on public service and international engagements, including his role as Global Advisor to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).
Aninze argued that by keeping his distance from partisan politics, Osinbajo has avoided being drawn into political controversies or having to publicly defend government policies.
Drawing a comparison with President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Aninze suggested that public officials sometimes benefit from knowing when to leave active politics, arguing that stepping away from positions of power can help preserve both reputation and peace of mind.
He concluded that not every political opportunity is worth accepting and that, in his view, Osinbajo understood the value of prioritising personal peace over remaining at the centre of political power.
The views expressed are those of Ekene Aninze and have not been independently verified.
Credit: Ekene Aninze
