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Northern youths have joined the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Nigerians in their defence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over what they described as ‘false and fabricated’ reports against him.
One of the allegations against the Vice President was that he collected N90 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to fund the 2019 presidential election.
In a statement issued by Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), Mohammed Salihu Danlami he urged Nigerians to disregard the reports against Osinbanjo, saying nobody has yet produced any evidence to prove that the Vice President actually collected the money.
He said the allegations were aimed at tarnishing the Vice President’s image just as they were calculated to embarrass President Muhammadu Buhari.
“After fact-checking the accusations for inaccuracies, falsehoods, lies, misrepresentations, misinformation, disinformation and libellous comments, they failed all norms, standards and ethical principles of international presidential communication,” he stated.
Danlami, who charged those he described as mischief-makers to desist from their evil ways, said the Vice President has contributed to the development of the country and his achievements could not be eroded.
“As members of AYA, we have been watching the vituperations, falsehood and vendetta directed at Osinbajo. We have read a series of paid advertorials where professional mudslingers at the urging of their sponsors took shots at the hardworking and God-fearing Vice President.
“Even when Osinbajo’s achievements are indisputable and have been reputed for unquestionable integrity, a man of truth, probity and honesty. He is a stabilising force in the polity, a visionary performer, who broker peace with Niger Delta militants.
“The falsehood against Osinbajo cannot stand, those promoting the allegation of corruption against the Vice President based on ethno-religious sentiments must be resisted and we must begin to build a Nigeria where tribe and religion are not a factor. Osinbajo is a man of depth and substance.
“A far as we are concerned, he is a man with impeccable academic credentials and enviable devotion to duty that inspired his students and left on their minds indelible impressions as an archetypal teacher.
“His contributions to academic excellence are unrivalled in the history of legal scholarship in Nigeria. His erudition, dedication and hard work earned him accolades in legal education in Nigeria, including being conferred with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),” the statement reads.