Politics
Osinbajo blames Jonathan for controversy on VP’s residence, says he won’t stay there
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday said the controversies surrounding the construction of a vice president’s residence is not the making of the current administration, but that of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
He also said that he was comfortable with his Aguda House, which he currently occupies, describing it as a befitting official residence for the Vice President (VP) and sufficient for his needs.
He suggested that the proposed new official residence for the VP, an ongoing project expected to gulp over N7billion, should rather be converted by the Federal Government into best use.
Acting President Osinbajo’s statement is coming on the heels of varying criticism surrounding the proposed official residence for the VP.
Dino Melaye, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, recently hinted that just the security post, known otherwise as the gate house, will cost as much as N250million.
However, Osinbajo in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, explained that the decision to build the new residence and the controversial gatehouse was not the initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
“For the umpteenth time, we like to clarify that the proposed plan of the immediate past administration to build a new official residence for the occupant of the Office of the Vice President, including the controversial gatehouse preceded this administration.
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“The project which started in 2010, was initiated and funded by the immediate past administration, but had never featured in the two budget proposals of the Buhari administration: neither in the 2016 nor the 2017 spending plans.
“Any suggestion therefore that this project benefits our administration or that it reflects our spending style or preferences is not only misleading but blatantly false.
“Besides, the incumbent Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said publicly that he considers Aguda House, which he currently occupies, a befitting official residence for the Vice President and sufficient for his needs.
“While the project is now about 85 per cent complete, the Federal Government, in the circumstances, will decide at the appropriate time what is the best use for the 14 buildings already on the project site,” the statement read.
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Gold Ruyondo
February 20, 2017 at 8:57 am
One of the many reasons why Africa remains behind is for every president doing away or trying to undo what his predecessor did.
Margret Dickson
February 20, 2017 at 9:12 am
The project is 85% complete, why did Buhari’s administration not stop the funding of the project before it got to that level and convert the money into something else? If not for the controversial gate house that will gulp up to 250 million Naira, the public won’t be aware of such VP’s residence.
Animashaun Ayodeji
February 20, 2017 at 9:18 am
This is another blame game from Osinbajo who’s trying to clear his name off the controversial residence. If the Senate and Nigerians didn’t kick against N250m gate house, and fault him for planning such project when our economy is on recession, they would have completed the project quietly without telling the public it was Jonathan’s project. As it is they have to complete the project, the contractors have gone a long way than to abandon it.
Roland Uchendu Pele
February 20, 2017 at 9:41 am
The blame game continues. The President must have influenced the Acting President so well his attributes are still radiating around him.
yanju omotodun
February 20, 2017 at 9:47 am
Jonathan is a son of a bitch who spend money extravagantly and don’t mind how money is being wasted. Thanks to osinbajo, my GOD fearing vice president for hinting us on that, the #7bn should be used to invest in to the economy and not building a house that will fade out one day .
JOHNSON PETER
February 20, 2017 at 7:37 pm
You are also a son of a bitch who does not have respect for distinguished people. #7bn is not a big money to build a befitting house for vice presidents .osinbajo is just being fake, the amount he and his boss are spending on food and travellings are beyond #7bn and he has never condemned that. If he does not feel like staying in the new apartment, another VP will stay.
Joy Madu
February 21, 2017 at 2:23 am
Story osinbajo is just trying to be a good vice because he doesn’t want them to know his evil plan but i believe he will be cut and throne behind bars