VICE President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday, in Osogbo said Nigerians must stand up for the truth and defending the unity of the nation as a corporate entity, declaring that “we must never be afraid of speaking truthfully and forcefully on issues” bothering on the collective and well being of our nation.
Restating his resolve to defend the constitution of the country, he also reaffirmed his integrity and maintained his total loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing congregation of clergies at a forum of “Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference”, Osinbajo asserted that “I have made sure that it would not be said of me that I have stabbed the President in the back. We must never be afraid speaking truthfully and forcefully” on issues, adding that “there is no time that I did not represent the views of Nigerians, even if it is contrary to President’s view”.
The Vice President averred that “we have gone too far beyond the situation of playing games. Our country is made up of Christians, Muslims and those who don’t believe in the two faiths. The right thing to do is that all treated justly.”
Osinbajo, who was responding to questions raised by the chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Osun State chapter, Reverend Abraham Olasumbo Ige emphasised that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) was resolutely committed to ending the spate of killings and violence in the country.
According to him, “we must not allow the narrative being said about some issues to survive. There’s great determination to end the killings and hold accountable anybody arrested. We have to be very careful. We must put whatever happens in a context. If we don’t handle it carefully, we may put the country in a civil war”.
“There is a big challenge. Sometimes, it is not always as it seems. When I went to Benue, I mentioned to them that any attack on churches is sacrilegious and it should be condemned. I was probably one of the few persons that spoke about it. Let’s put it in a context, we must not assume this is an isolated case”.
“Deeper life Church was attacked in the North in 2014 and 17 people were killed. Whatever is happening, we must take a broader look at it. As pastors, when mosques are attacked, we must also speak up. It is good that we must also speak up”, Osinbajo stated.
Commenting on the appointment of top security chiefs by Buhari from the Northern parts of the country, he said moves were already on to address the issue, stressing that “I agree fully as far as security issues go, we should have a broader approach. There is no reason why there should not be a review. The President had said he would address it”.
“When former President Obasanjo was in office, almost 12 states declared Sharia law. What did Obasanjo do about it? He could not have done more than he did. Many of the governors of those states then were Muslims. Can you imagine if 12 states governors declare Sharia law now that we have a president, who is a Muslim? We must put everything going on in the country in context. I am in a position of getting some information that many are not privileged to get”.
“Our country can only be governed by the wisdom of God. We must deal with all issues with great care. In River Benue, virtually all the cattle want to go in there for water. In Taraba, the killer herdsmen and farmers they attacked are Muslims. It is not entirely fair to say that they are targeting Christians. Any herder found with a weapon must be arrested. In the last few months, we have sent special forces to Benue and Taraba. There is greats determination to end the killings and hold accountable anybody arrested”.
“Benue is largely Christians and Zamfara is largely Muslims. I want us to understand persecution as we see it. The response time is slow even when we deploy the security for the emergency situation. That is why community policing is important.
Earlier in his remark, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola said enjoined Nigerians to review our relationship to be the best at all times, with a view to contributing meaningfully to the development of the country.
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