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Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu |
The presidency said that the only way Nigerians can remove Buhari’s government is through the ballot box, not revolution.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said that the government will always welcome peaceful protest by the citizenry to express their grievances, but added that peaceful protest was different from incitement for revolution.
“The President of Nigeria 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. 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.
“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.
Continuing, the Presidency said, “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.
”They should lead their march in person. Only then will they begin to have the right to call themselves leaders before the people of Nigeria.”