Full text of What Bishop William Avenya told Osinbajo in Benue that got everyone talking

Transcribed by Kengkeng Ati

Honourable Vice President, you are a Christian. When you once met us, we spoke to you at Gwarimpa. We called you friend, you called us friend. When Buhari came to campaign and request of us to appeal to our people to vote for him, he pointed at you and said “here is a Christian, my Vice President, here is one of our sons…”

Akume was with you, another Christian; Audu Ogbeh, another Christian. How can he turn this country into an Islamic territory? The point I’m trying to make is that a day is going to come when you as Vice President, the injustices in our land, especially those perpetrated on smaller tribes that have no one to fight for them; when the issues and the records are raised, you too will bear the brunt of that problem. So, as a Christian person, exonerate yourself from this situation.

I plead with you to be a Christian and a committed Christian, somebody who understands the law and one who speaks for justice. This is the way to conciliation and peace in our land. Let us stop this political thing that means practically nothing. Let us talk in truth. We thank you for coming.

At least we are telling you face to face. I hope you are hearing and I hope you will not diplomatize or politicize and swing the thing. And those with you, if they quote somebody, let them quote precisely what we have said. It will be very beneficial…