Osinbajo! Has the grace departed?

Osinbajo

Proverbs never lie.

And especially regarding the ongoing saga of Nigeria Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, they spring readily to mind.

One of them is that of ‘when a dog is friends with a goat, it’ll eventually eat feaces.’ Another is that of ‘birds of the same feather flock together.’ Yet another is that of ‘you lie on your bed the way you lay it.’

The three proverbs are very apt for the situation Osinbajo finds himself in presently, a situation in which a prestigious organization, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, which had decided to give him an award for integrity and anti-corruption had to change its view of him at the last moment that he’s not really worthy of it, at least for the time being.

And to prove them right, many people have hailed them for their walk-back and not only supported it but are even saying the award shouldn’t even be postponed but not given to him at all.

One reaction said, “We hope they eventually cancel the award for him. The muzzling of press freedom in the regime is unparalleled.”

Another said, “It should actually be CANCELLED in protest, not postponed. Or has the Vice-President, a professor of law, said anything in response to the glaring assault on the rule of law in the case of Sowore and others?”

Maybe the most appropriate of the proverbs is the third-mentioned.

Osinbajo it is who’s actually credited with winning the Nigeria presidential election twice, 2015 and 2019, for his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, due to his prominent membership of the renowned Redeemed Christian Church of God which has millions of members worldwide and it’s these members who’re believed to have voted for Buhari because of Osinbajo.

And Osinbajo was actually well liked for his simplicity, intellect, oratory, charisma, agility until all the perceived injustices of his principal’s administration became just too much for his admirers to bear.

His constant defence of his principal didn’t help him in the least regarding the issues of Fulani herdsmen killing innocent people, the alleged plot to islamise the country and the disobedience of court orders regarding the incarceration of many people and especially Nigeria’s current top human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

And when the principal whom he’s so loyal began to allegedly humiliate him publicly by reversing some of his actions, it was the last straw for his supporters.

Obviously, Osinbajo is a man who has grace, but it seems as if it’s departing from him if it hasn’t departed altogether already.

But as always regarding weighty issues, there’s always some bit of confusion and a statement by Osinbajo makes it seem as if he’s the one who even decided not to receive the award and not be present at the award ceremony on Monday, December 9.

The following are excerpts of the statement.

“I am extremely grateful for the recognition and award of the ‘Integrity Specialty of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s Anti-corruption Defender Award of 2019’ to me.

“The award, I note, is for our justice reform efforts in Lagos State. I had accepted the award with pride on behalf of the excellent Justice Sector team we had.

“However, two reasons explain my absence. First is that I am currently in Abu Dhabi for an international meeting under the auspices of the government of the UAE where I am the keynote speaker.

“Second, in view of the developments on Friday in the Sowore case, I think it would be insensitive and inappropriate to attend the ceremony.

“Please accept my heartfelt apologies and extend the same to the other members of the organising team. God bless you.”