SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has stated that the protestations for President Muhammadu Buhari to return from his medical vacation abroad or resign from office is an illegal assembly aimed at undermining the ongoing war against corruption.
A coalition of groups under #OurMumuDonDo Movement has been making the #ReturnOrResign demand through their demonstrations that began on Monday.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, spoke while receiving members of a group, Centre for Civil Society and Justice, which staged a rally in support of Buhari, at the precincts of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He assured members of the civil society organisation that attempts to derail the war against corruption “using subterfuge and bluff” will not succeed.
Shehu also praised Nigerians for rising against what he called the “chaotic rout of protesters” assembled at the Unity Fountain demanding the President’s return, dismissing such demands as “unlawful”.
According to him, “It might be taken for granted that the beneficiaries of the old order are fighting back.
“We have been warned that corruption will fight back. In a country where just one woman, for having the opportunity to serve as minister has N47.2bn and $487.5m of public resources in cash and property traced to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, you don’t expect the beneficiaries of that order to allow the Buhari administration some peace.
“They want to distract us. But what the Acting President wants to assure patriotic citizens is that the government will not bend.
“As far as the President is concerned, he has done the needful by handing the reins of authority to the Vice President.
“Since the law of the country does not give a time limit for the President’s return, it cannot be imposed by a saber-rattling group or individual.”
The presidential spokesman commended CCSJ members for being “orderly” in their demonstration and urged them to shun all provocations by opponents of government.
