The suspended Special Adviser to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Media, Salihu Yakasai, has broke silence over his suspension for criticising president Muhammadu Buhari.
Yakassai had in a tweet yesterday lambasted Buhari for showing no empathy for Nigerians who are on the streets protesting against the brutality of the Special anti-robbery squad SARS, accusing him of disregarding those who voted for him to become president.
He said the President’s inability to address Nigerians amid the national outrage as well as the ongoing online and offline protests against the Special Anti -Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force, shows that he does not really care about them.
Yakasai wrote, “I have never seen a government with zero empathy like that of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“So many times when his people are going through a difficult time and expect some sort of tap on shoulder to reassure them that he is in charge, but he failed to do so.
“The ‘I don ’t care attitude’ is on another level.
“To speak to your own people over issues that are bedevilling them has become something like a favour you are doing to them.
“Over and over again, you cannot spare five minutes to address the nation to calm them down, the same people you went to the 36 states to beg for their votes, it is heartbreaking.”
Angered by Yakassai's comment, the Kano State government accused him of "unguarded utterances" against Buhari and subsequently fired him from his job with immediate effect.
The statement released on Sunday afternoon partly read, “Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has suspended his Special Adviser on Media, Salihu Tanko Yakasai over some unguarded utterances on the person of President Muhammadu Buhari on the social media platform.
“The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who conveyed the governor’s directive in a statement this afternoon, said the suspension is with immediate effect.
“He said that though the media aide has own up the indiscreet comment as his personal opinion , but that as a public figure, it will be difficult to differentiate between personal opinion and official stand on matters of public concern.
“The governor, therefore, warned political appointees and public servants to guard against making statements capable of drawing unnecessary controversy and heating up the polity.”
However, Yakassai in another tweet on Monday appreciate Nigerians for their calls and messages of encouragement due to what happened to him for standing in the side of truth.
I want to sincerely extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those that supported me yday, particularly those that called, or sent messages through several platforms, & those on the TL. I was overwhelmed & I tried to reply to all but couldn't. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
— Peacock (@dawisu) October 12, 2020