Those Who Steal Public Funds Don’t Talk About Religion, Ethnicity – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has cautioned Nigerians, especially youths to be wary of politicians and their supporters who would want to use them to foster their selfish end by resorting to fanning the embers of religion and ethnicity.

Professor Osinbajo said that when it comes to stealing of the state and nation’s resources, there are people of different religions and tribes involved.
“People don’t talk about ethnicity and religion when they are stealing resources, why? Why don’t they say that it is an attempt to islamize Nigeria? The same way you have Nigerians cooperating in business across everything, across ethnicity or religion. But when it is convenient for some, the person pushes an ethnic agenda.”
Professor Osinbajo spoke today, July 2, when he received in audience at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation from ONE Campaign, Nigeria Chapter, led by its Country Director, Ms. Serah Makka-Ugbabe. The delegation comprised of members of the ONE Campaign, champions, and policy advocates representing the country’s six geopolitical zones who were selected to present the Vice President a Youth Declaration.

The Vice President argued that there is no Muslim, Christian fighting this country: “it is not true at all; that is not the issue. A lot of you who are here are Muslims and Christians, and young people want the same things, the same jobs. If you allow such false narratives, it would destroy and divide the country.
“Some people don’t care what they say or do, so long as they can get into power. And it is a very dangerous thing. And we have to preach against it openly.”

He appealed to the youths to therefore rise above divisive ethnic and religious narratives about the country, and for them to actively advocate for causes and issues that would deepen national unity, progress and development.

The Vice President stressed the need for young people to focus their energies on championing causes that unite the country rather than divide it, saying that ethnic and religious divisions and corruption are major issues that impede the development of any nation.
Osinbajo made reference to the composition of the Federal Executive Council  (FEC) of the Muhammadu Buhari’s government in its first term, , saying:  “it had 20 Christians, 18 Muslims; the President is a Muslim. How does he want to Islamize the country? How, when we are all sitting down there? They make those stories up, just to push an agenda.”