By Shola Abayomi.
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the sponsors and organizers of “Revolution Now” protest to make their identity known out of respect for Nigerians.
The President argued that the organization championing the planned mass action was not fronted by any serious public face.
Buhari, in a statement issued yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, also stated that there’s a difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution.
He maintained that the ballot box was the only constitutional means of changing government in Nigeria, adding that the days of coups and revolutions were over.
The statement reads: “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.
“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.”