Throwback: Osinbajo Once Said A President Can Be Impeached If He Admits Inability To Secure Citizens

A 2015 tweet on insecurity by Professor Yemi Osinbajo who as at then, was the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has resurfaced on the internet.

Osinbajo in the tweet had submitted that a president can be impeached if he admits failure in protecting the citizens of the country.

In the tweet dated February 8, 2015, he wrote: “If the president says I’ve lost the capacity to guarantee the security of lives and property, it’s certainly an impeachable offence.”

Naija News understands the tweet appears to have been a veiled message to Goodluck Jonathan who was the President of Nigeria at that time and was seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The security challenges facing Nigeria at that time, particularly frequent attacks by Boko Haram terrorists was a major item used by the APC and its candidates to campaign against Jonathan and PDP.

The APC went ahead to famously defeat Jonathan and the PDP at the polls. However, five years after they took over the administration of the government, insecurity has remained a major challenge facing the current administration as well.

Just over the weekend, Boko Haram terrorists slaughtered 78 rice farmers in Borno State, sparking fresh anger and outburst from Nigerians.

This perhaps is responsible for the re-surfacing of the tweet with Nigerians demanding the current government take decisive steps in tackling insecurity.

Furthermore, there have been several calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to replace his security chiefs though the presidency has insisted the prerogative to sack or keep service chiefs remain the president’s reserve and Buhari is still satisfied with the performance of the service chiefs.

Below is the original tweet by Professor Osinbajo, who is now the Vice President of Nigeria.

“If the president says I’ve lost the capacity to guarantee the security of lives and property, it’s certainly an impeachable offence.”
– PYO

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) February 8, 2015

And see some recent reactions by Nigerians.

What goes around comes around… This life is too short

— Objk Santos (@ObjkSantos) December 1, 2020

Prof @ProfOsinbajo where are you? Nigerians are in dire need of your legal prowess in this time of challenging insecurity. Is it not wise that this government be impeached? Just asking though

— ˢᵀAIYKMANUELˢᵀ????? (@LETTDBELIGHT) December 1, 2020

Sir, I think @MBuhari is due for impeachment owing to the security challenges we are facing in the country today.

— Nwosu Justice™ (@NwosuJustice1) December 1, 2020

The social media never forgets!!!

— Papi Grandé(All shades of Magnificent) (@OnoviranO) December 1, 2020

all na cruise and vibe until it gets to ur turn

— #SARSMUSTEND (@cupid4cool) December 1, 2020

Sir what can you say about the situation now…hope you guys are doing better?

— Oga Joe (@JoxyDave) December 1, 2020