- Osinbajo says insinuation linking him to the tragedy is heartless, despicable
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has dissociated himself from the 21-storey building, which collapsed in Lagos on Monday.
In a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo, who expressed sympathies with the families of the victims of the building collapse, also denied making any move to influence the Lagos State housing regulatory authorities to favour foul play.
The Vice President’s response followed reports which alleged that he owns the land where the building was erected.
It was said that the choice property was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors as well as accusation he intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.
Osinbajo, who alleged attempts by political actors to use the situation to malign his image, also accused online news outlet, Sahara Reporters, of being sponsored to engage in a smear campaign against his person.
He instructed his lawyers to take the matter, which he described as disgraceful, with the publishers of Sahara Reporters in court.
While commiserating with the victims of the tragedy, Osinbajo pointed out that he had publicly declared his assets.
“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed.
“He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or were affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.
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He added: “Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade Ojo or anyone for that matter.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.
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“Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.
“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.”
The Nation