The Presidency on Wednesday advised Nigerian opinion leaders not to perceive President Muhammadu Buhari as being against restructuring and other constitutional changes as such responsibility to effect changes lies with the National Assembly.  The Presidency in a statement by the Senior Special Assitrant to the president on Medeia, Garba Shehu, further advised that people should exercise restraint in their choice of words to avoid heating up the polity and causing acrimony across the country.

While 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. To critique the president for not responding to restructuring on the country, the Presidency said is completely off the mark.

The statement said the President 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.

He explained that the President is 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.

He said “Changes don’t happen on a whim in a democracy. The ‘immediate effect’ military mentality cannot work under a democratic order. 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.

Malam Garba Shehu however, noted that, while Nigerians are free to express themselves, they should exercise such liberty with restraint and a sense of responsibility. He said calling President Buhari an enemy of Nigeria is in extreme bad taste, adding that nothing in Buhari’s service record would justify such scurrilous language.

“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,” he stated

with report from The Nation