BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), has said that in order to preserve the unity of the country, it demand an explanation from the Presidency on what is happening to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stressing that if no such is forthcoming, his functions should be restored .
The SMBLF noted that the virtual stripping of Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo of most functions and responsibilities including some that are constitutional by fiat does not correspond with the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC), governors that all is well at the seat of power.
The SMBLF noted that the office of the Vice-President today is definitely not what it was two weeks ago, stressing that something is definitely wrong even when members of the Forum cannot place their fingers on it yet.
In a statement signed by Chief E K Clark – South South, Chief Ayo Adebanjo – South West, Chief John Nwodo – South East and Dr Pogu Bitrus – Middle Belt, the SMBLF noted that this is because of the opaque handling of affairs of a supposed constitutional democracy and open society in a manner reminiscent of a kingdom where things are done according to the whims and caprice s of the monarch.
The SMBLF further said; “We are a democracy and the people need to know the ways their lives are being run by those they have hired to do the job.
Moreover, the multi-ethnic nature of Nigeria and the geo-political balancing of its presidency will make the kind of actions that have been taken against the office of the Vice-President to attract the usual suspicion of the experiences of Ebitu Ukiwe and Oladipo Diya if there are no explanations to the public.
“In this dispensation in particular, references would be made to the treatment of Justice Walter Onoghen, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita and now Prof Osinbajo on one hand, and Mr Abdulrsheed Maina of Pension Reform Task Force, Prof Usman Yusuf of NHIS and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano on the other hand .
“The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has followed with keen interest developments in the Presidency as regards the office of the Vice-President in the past few days.
“We have equally noticed the unusual quiet from the Presidency on damaging allegations against the Vice-Present.
“In any normal clime, it should not have taken more than a day for the Presidency to dispel the allegations to maintain the moral standing of the VP and the integrity of the administration.
“We therefore demand a statement from the government on the weighty allegations or an investigation to be caused. We hold our breath until the public is properly briefed.”
