Akeredolu said he could not have belittle VP Osinbajo, a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and professional colleague as insinuated by the campaigners of former governor of Lagos State and national leader of APC, Tinubu, led by Joe Igbokwe.
Campaigners of Tinubu had been circulating a statement purportedly made by Akeredolu to the effect that, “When we were running around to ensure Buhari won the primaries in 2014, I sprained my ankle. My VP, Sir, you were not around. You were at the Holy Ghost night that day. You just moved from Holy Ghost Night to Aso Rock.”
However, Akeredolu denied such statement, saying the succession pattern in the current politics is a public knowledge.
According to Akeredolu, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Special Duties & Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, he said while he is not the one to hide behind a finger in taking a decision and making same known without equivocation, he will not be as brash as the statement purports.
He said, “Putting what transpired during the visit of the VP, within the context of the convivial atmosphere, exposes the mischief in the deliberate slant put to the statement published to satisfy partisan interest.
“The Governor of Ondo State is not only the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, his colleagues in the whole of Southern Region defer to him as their spokesperson, mainly because of his principled stance on important issues affecting the country.”
He further stated that, a situation which would have warranted the governor to engage in a needless diatribe against a most respected professional colleague, friend and the number two citizen in the country would have been most unwarranted, uncharitable and disrespectful.
“The VP addressed the delegates of the State in his characteristic erudition and candour. The message delivered was well received. The aspirant stated the purpose of his visit in a most brilliant and jocular manner, regaling the audience with his signature brilliance and elocution.
“It would have been most unfortunate for anyone, let alone the host, to use this occasion to utter a statement that did not reflect the mood of the moment.
“The Governor acknowledged the contributions of Professor Yemi Osinbajo to the study and practice of Law and nation-building. He cited his case as typical of those who have benefited from uncommon divine munificence.
“He admonished politicians to always remember the role of the Almighty in the affairs of human beings. He expressed deep conviction on providence, that the Supreme Being gives power to anyone regardless of the scheming of people.
“He stated that if it was the will of Almighty that he would succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, nobody would stop it from coming to pass.
“The Governor did not deride or belittle the Vice President. That would have been a most unconscionable, brash and indecent way to play politics while welcoming any visitor to Ondo State, reputed for hospitality, how much more the sitting Vice President. Aketi is the quintessential gentleman of the Bar. He enjoys the confidence and respect of Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.”
