BEVERLY HILLS, August 23, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has cautioned opinion leaders in the country to exercise restraint in their statements and choice of words to avoid heating up the polity and causing acrimony across the country.
This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President Malam Garba Shehu, as he defended the speech delivered on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari on his return from his medical vacation in London.
Shehu stated that it is a matter of great satisfaction that a majority of the citizens welcomed the broadcast insisting that to criticize the President for not responding to restructuring on the country, the Presidency said is completely off the mark.
He stated that the President has no power to impose restructuring on the country by military diktat, adding that the National Assembly members are the elected representatives of the people who can handle agitations for restructuring and other constitutional changes.
“Changes don’t happen on a whim in a democracy. The ‘immediate effect’ military mentality cannot work under a democratic order. Since the President has sworn to defend the constitution, he would remain faithful to that oath by working with the legislature in taking major decisions on the future of Nigeria’s federal system,” he stated.
“While Nigerians are free to express themselves, they should exercise such liberty with restraint and a sense of responsibility. Calling President Buhari an enemy of Nigeria is in extreme bad taste, nothing in his service record would justify such scurrilous language.
“The country’s parliament is ready and willing to discuss all issues but the pundits are more interested in TV and newspaper headlines. Threats don’t work in a democracy. Democracy requires planning and proper process. Issues are resolved through established processes, not by abuses, insults or irresponsible statements.”
