By Moses Okorie
365Daily – A group known as Friends and Associates of Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo have alleged that some individuals are trying to link the vice president with ownership of the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos in order to tarnish his image through the social media.
The group made this known in a statement signed by Richard Akinnola on Thursday, November 4, 2021 and made available to 365Daily in Abuja.
The group advised the rumour merchants to get their facts straight through the Corporate Affairs Commission or the land registry to ascertain the true ownership of the said collapsed building.
According to them, “It is most unfortunate that at a time when people are mourning over the collapse of the Ikoyi building and the loss of several lives in the most unfortunate circumstances, some mischief makers are trying to score cheap political goals and use this very sad situation to tarnish the name and image of our hardworking and humble vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
“The Social media has suddenly become awash with information trying to link the VP directly or indirectly to the collapsed structure.
“Some stories say the developer, Mr Femi Osibiona is a front for some big guns in government, others directly say the land is owned by the VP, whilst others make a veiled connection to the governor of Lagos.
“For the avoidance of doubt and for the sake of those who may be misled by the spurious and totally unfounded statements, we as concerned colleagues and friends of the VP wish to make it clear that the VP has never been involved, neither does he have any ownership interest in the developers company or business.
“The facts can be easily verified from the Corporate Affairs Commission or land registry, which the malicious writers have failed to check or show a connection between the VP and the collapsed building”.
The group commiserated with the families of those who have lost lives and limbs as well as those still in agony of not knowing what the fate of those beneath the rubles in this most unfortunate incident.
“We urge that as Nigerians, we should show more compassion and empathy to grieving compatriots rather than attempting to score political goals through it”, the group said.