By Friday Omosola
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has faulted a statement by some politicians that he disrespected Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during the latter’s consultation visit to Ondo State.
Akeredolu explained that he did not humiliate the VicePresident, a presidential prospect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and professional colleague, as conveyed by the campaigners of some politicians.
The circulating statement read: “When we were running around to ensure Buhari won the primaries in 2014, I sprained my ankle. My VP, Sir, you were not around.
You were at the Holy Ghost night that day. You just moved from Holy Ghost Night to Aso Rock.” Akeredolu, who doubles as Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum, maintained that discrediting Osinbajo would have been the most unpleasant way to play politics while receiving a visitor into the State.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Special Duties & Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, said he was not the one behind the evil statement. Besides, he stated that he would not be as arrogant as the statement purports. Akeredolu said a situation which would have warranted the governor to engage in a needless diatribe against a most respected professional colleague, friend and the number two citizen in the country would have been most unwarranted, uncharitable and disrespectful.
“Putting what transpired during the visit of the VP, within the context of the convivial atmosphere, exposes the mischief in the deliberate slant put to the statement published to satisfy partisan interest,” he said.
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“The Governor of Ondo State is not only the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, his colleagues in the whole of Southern Region defer to him as their spokesperson, mainly because of his principled stance on important issues affecting the country.
The VP addressed the delegates of the State in his characteristic erudition and candour. The message delivered was well received. The aspirant stated the purpose of his visit in a most brilliant and jocular manner, regaling the audience with his signature brilliance and elocution.
“It would have been most unfortunate for anyone, let alone the host, to use this occasion to utter a statement that did not reflect the mood of the moment.
The Governor acknowledged the contributions of Professor Yemi Osinbajo to the study and practice of Law and nation-building. He cited his case as typical of those who have benefited from uncommon divine munificence.”
He scolded politicians to constantly remember the role of God in the relationships of human beings, as well as expressed deep conviction on providence.
He noted that God gives power to anyone regardless of the scheming of people. He stated that if it was the will of Almighty that the vice president would succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, nobody would stop it from coming to pass.
