I was misquoted on restructuring, agitators not political jobbers – Osinbajo

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has denied ascribing those agitating for the restructuring of the country as political jobbers seeking appointments.

Osinbajo made the refutal on Tuesday in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande.

He said the audio and video tapes of his speech at the event where he was wrongly quoted to have made the statement was available.

The Acting President described the debate on restructuring as an important one that covers a wide range of legitimate and constitutionally valid issues.

According to Osinbajo, the debate required all Nigerians to advance their arguments on the subject.

He expressed surprise at the news report quoting Chief Ayo Adebanjo as saying he described those agitating for restructuring as political jobbers.

The statement reads in part; “At no time did the Acting President say that those asking for restructuring were political jobbers looking for appointments. The video, audio tapes and full text of his speech at the National Security summit organised last week by the Department of State Services, DSS are publicly available.

“While several newspapers and media outlets reported Prof. Osinbajo’s said speech last Wednesday, not one of the publications made such a blatantly inaccurate claim that he said those asking for restructuring were political jobbers.

“Besides, the debate on restructuring is an important one and the calls for restructuring cover a wide range of legitimate and constitutionally valid issues. Indeed all Nigerians have both a right and a duty to advance their arguments on the subject.”

Osinbajo explained that he has on different occasions expressed support for State police based on the community policing model.

He added that he had also advocated for devolution of powers to the states and fiscal federalism.

Osinbajo also state that Buhari administration has been active in supporting state rights in several ways including in fiscal matters and will continue to do so.