By David Lawani
As the nation continues to mourn the unfortunate collapse of the 21 Ikoyi storey building in Lagos, friends, and associates of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have absorbed him of any link to the owner directly or indirectly, noting that it commiserate with the families of those who have lost loved ones under the building.
In a statement signed by Richard Akinnola for and on behalf of friends and associates of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Nigeria saying ” The facts can be easily verified from the Corporate Affairs Commission or land registry which the malicious writers have failed to check or show a connection between the VP and the collapsed building”.
He stressed that at a time when well-meaning Nigerians are consoling and sympathizing with the families of those who lost loved ones in the building, it is unheard of that there are those whose preoccupation was to connect the Vice President to the ownership of the building by all means.
According to him, “It is most unfortunate that at a time when people are mourning over the collapse of the Ikoyi building and the loss of several lives in the most unfortunate circumstances, some mischief makers are trying to score cheap political goals and use this very sad situation to tarnish the name and image of our hardworking and humble Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
“Social media has suddenly become awash with information trying to link the VP directly or indirectly to the collapsed structure.
“Some stories say the developer, Mr. Femi Osibiona is a front for some big guns in Government, others directly say the land is owned by the VP, whilst others make a veiled connection to the Governor of Lagos”, he said.
He disclosed further that the Vice President does not have anything whatsoever to do with the building as it is quite sad that many may have been misled by unfounded statements.
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The friends however commiserate with the families and urge Nigerians to show more compassion and empathy in a trying moment such as it is in a nation.
“For the avoidance of doubt and for the sake of those who may be misled by the spurious and totally unfounded statements, we as concerned colleagues and friends of the VP wish to make it clear that the VP has never been involved, neither does he have any ownership interest in the developers Company or business.
“We commiserate with the families of those who have lost lives and limbs as well as those still in an agony of not knowing what the fate of those beneath the rubles in this most unfortunate incident. We urge that as Nigerians, we should show more compassion and empathy to grieving compatriots rather than attempting to score political goals through it”, Richard stated.
