Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has issued a statement and sent to Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) .
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.
“to align with protests against the repression of freedom of speech in recent times,” the statement reads, “especially the incident between the Department of State Security (DSS) and Omoleye Sowore.” it continued.
”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.
