Connect with us

News

My govt respects, upholds rights of every Nigerian – Buhari

Published

on

SDP splits further as Lagos chapter rejects NEC’s endorsement of Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that every Nigerian had right to peaceful protest and civil campaign and that such are respected by his government.

However, noting that “there is difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution,” Buhari said his government would never accept the later.

He stated this in response to Monday’s planned “Revolution Now” protest by the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria.

The convener of the group, Omoyele Sowore, who was also the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the last presidential elections, had since Saturday been arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS).

In a statement, however, by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on Sunday, Buhari accused some powerful Nigerians of hiding behind everyday citizens to grab power by undemocratic and violent means.

He called on those supposedly behind the planned protest to come out clearly and be identified by Nigerians as well as lead the march in person.

“The President and his administration respect and uphold the right of every Nigerian to peaceful protest and civil campaign – whether to raise awareness on issues, and even oppose the government, noting that it is the inalienable right of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do so.

“There is, however, a difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution.

“The organisation championing this planned action is not fronted by any serious public faces. We call on the sponsors and organisers to have the decency to come forward and make their identity known – out of respect to all Nigerians – so that Nigerians can be fully aware in whose name this ;revolution’ is being proposed and who the beneficiaries may be.

“Less than six months ago, Nigeria held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. Both contests were won resoundingly by President Muhammadu Buhari and his All-Progressives Congress party. The campaign was observed, and results were confirmed by international election monitoring groups and observers. The result was even contested by the losing presidential candidate and his party in court.

READ ALSO: 2023: Tinubu, the Lion of Bourdillon gets the lion’s share. Is his march to Aso Rock now sealed?

“The ballot box is the only constitutional means of changing government and a president in Nigeria. The days of coups and revolutions are over.

“Those making the ‘revolution’ call hide behind the veil of social media modernity. But without revealing the identity of their sponsors this shadowy campaign is no better, and no more democratic, than the days of old,” the statement read.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now