Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has released a copy of the
letter he wrote to Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
excusing himself from the ceremony where he was to receive an “integrity
award”.
In the letter released by Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s
spokesman, the vice-president said it would be insensitive for him to attend
the award ceremony in the light of the travails of Omoyele Sowore, convener of
RevolutionNow movement.
Osinbajo released the letter on Monday, hours after the
centre announced it was postponing the award of Osinbajo over Sowore’s
treatment. It had said the postponement was “to align with protests against the
repression of freedom of speech in recent times especially the incident between
the Department of State Security (DSS) and Omoleye Sowore.” In the letter
shared with TheCable, Osinbajo explained the reason he would be absent at the
event.
The letter reads:
”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 development 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 organizing team. God bless you.”
