- Reacting to reports linking him to such plot in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed said that such could only emanate from “political opportunists and agent provocateur” especially from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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| Bola Muhammed |
Mohammed who in a statement explained that his mission to Saudi Arabia was to fulfill his religious obligations however called for sundry support for Osinbajo, stressing that the Acting President has already done so much in stabilizing the heated polity in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “I was not invited to such a meeting, if it held at all. And even if I had been invited I would not have attended for reasons that are all too obvious. My antecedents are so well established that to associate me with a clandestine parochial project aimed at subverting the constitution will negate everything that I stand for and cherish.
“No matter how anybody feels, it must be acknowledged that Yemi Osinbajo is today occupying the position of acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God. Therefore, political opportunists and agent provocateur especially those of his All Progressives Congress (APC) should spare the nation this embarrassing conspiracy narrative that is domiciled in their party.
“When tempers are flaring up dangerously and fear has become the order of the day, what is required is for all stakeholders, notwithstanding personal ambitions, party affiliation or sub-national interests, to join hands with the Acting President in stabilizing the ship of state.
“Unless we are being hypocritical, Professor Osinbajo is doing his best to bridge the leadership vacuum created by the absence of the President, a vacuum that has triggered all kinds of dangerous political permutations. “The country’s leadership is expected to galvanize all stakeholders while the political class is expected to rally behind it to fashion a way out of the present crisis. I would want to say that Professor Osinbajo has demonstrated courage in the face of danger, commendable sobriety in spite of provocation and focus in the midst of distraction to the extent that, I am confident, President Buhari will be very proud of him.
I make this comment with every sense of responsibility and without prejudice to my loyalty to my party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and my personal ambition and aspirations as a politician!”
The former FCT Minister who recalled his roles in a similar situation during the administration of former President Musa Yar’adua in 2010, stated that as a serving Senator then, he spearheaded the National Integrity Group (NIG) in the Senate that saw the emergence of the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President under the “Doctrine of Necessity”, asking why he would condescend so low now. He reminded his opponents not to waste their time and resources, launching a campaign of calumny against his person and political ambition, saying he remained unshaken in the midst of adversities.
“Why would I then descend from that high moral pedestal, from the status of a statesman, to the nadir of political juvenility and rascality at a time that summons all patriots, to join forces to stabilize our tottering nation-state.
“Consequently, it is therefore axiomatic that, no amount of cheap blackmail, no level of persecution and no subterfuge by Sahara Reporters and its promoters will diminish my resolve to continue to play constructive and patriotic roles in serving the good people of Bauchi State and our dear country Nigeria.
“Like all false witnesses, God will cut them down at the point of their successes. In this regard, my faith in God remains unshaken and my commitment to a united Nigeria anchored on equity, justice and fair play as bedrocks of a true federation remain sacrosanct.
“Finally, I implore all Nigerians to continue to pray for the good health of our President and for God to grant Acting President Osinbajo the wisdom to lead the country in the right direction until the President returns”, Mohammed said.
