Friends and associates of Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN on Thursday dissociated him from having any interest in the 21 story building that collapsed on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi Lagos, asking that he be left out of the sad incident.
Since the incident happened, the social media has been filled with different stories and conjectures of the relationship between Osinbajo and the property developer, Femi Osibona.
But in a statement signed by a senior journalist and personal friend of Osinbajo, Mr Richard Akinnola on behalf of friends and associates, the group said Osinbajo has no ownership interest in the developer’s company or business, calling such stories totally unfounded. Rather than such wicked speculations, Akinnola challenged those in doubt to approach the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for verification.
The statement reads:
“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;
The 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;
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;
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;
We commiserate with the families of those who have lost lives and limbs as well as those still in 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”.
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