Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has been cleared of remarks on the likely disintegration of the country owing to “cracks”.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, made the clarification in a fresh statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mustapha said he and NOT the Vice-President made the remarks at the church service on Sunday’s Interdenominational Church Service to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence.
Claiming ownership of the controversial comments, the SGF said:” Prof. Osinbajo is indeed well-known for his stand on Nigeria’s unity and has, in the past few years, led the campaign for a united Nigeria through strong comments at forums and advocacy visits to communities across the country including in the North, Southeast, and South-South.
“I have observed with concern, the apparent sensationalization of the remarks I made at the 60th Independence Anniversary Church Service, where I stood in for His Excellency, the Vice President.
Absolving the Vice-President and emphasizing both of their positions about Nigeria’s unity, Mustapha said:” For the avoidance of doubt, I want to affirm that His Excellency, the Vice President and I remain very firmly and irrevocably, committed to the idea of one indivisible Nigerian nation.”
Mustapha acknowledged both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Prof. Osinbajo’s consistent efforts to strengthen the unity of the Nigerian nation, noting that “any suggestion to the contrary is a clear misrepresentation of our common position as a Government.
” Below is the full text of the SGF’s Press Statement
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION PRESS STATEMENT
I have observed with concern the apparent sensationalization of the remarks I made at the 60th Independence Anniversary Church Service, where I stood in for His Excellency, the Vice President.
2.For the avoidance of doubt, I want to affirm that His Excellency, the Vice President, and I remain very firmly and irrevocably committed to one indivisible Nigerian nation.
3. We are also deeply appreciative of President Muhammadu Buhari’s consistent efforts to strengthen the unity of the Nigerian nation.
4. Any suggestion to the contrary is a clear misrepresentation of our common position as a Government.
(Signed) Boss Mustapha Secretary to the Government of the Federation
