FOLLOWING criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari in some quarters for not addressing the issue of restructuring of the country in his recent nationwide broadcast, the Presidency has said that he could not impose restructuring on the county by fiat.
In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday, it admonished opinion leaders to exercise restraint in their criticism of the president.
The statement pointed out the Buhari “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.
The Presidency explained that the President was constitutionally bound to work with the National Assembly to deal with such complex issues, reminding critics that the President would not exercise arbitrary powers or bypass the legislature in taking such fundamental decisions.
“Changes don’t happen on a whim in a democracy,” said the statement, adding that “the immediate effect military mentality cannot work under a democratic order” and that, “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.
The Presidency advised Nigerian opinion leaders to exercise restraint in their choice of words to avoid heating up the polity and causing acrimony across the country.
Defending the President’s speech on Monday on his return from a medical vacation, the Presidency said it is a matter of great satisfaction that a majority of the citizens welcomed the broadcast.
It added: “However, to critique the president for not responding to restructuring the country – whatever that means is completely off the mark.”
The statement urged that while Nigerians were free to express themselves, they should exercise such liberty with restraint and a sense of responsibility.
The Presidency said calling President Buhari an enemy of Nigeria was “in extreme bad taste,” adding that “nothing in Buhari’s service record would justify such scurrilous language.”
The statement added: “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.”
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