The Presidency has said President Muhammadu Buhari is deposed to governing Nigeria based on the dictates of the constitution on not on the immediate effect military approach as alleged in some quarters.
- This was revealed in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President Malam Garba Shehu on Wednesday.
According to Shehu, it was a matter of great satisfaction that majority of the citizens welcomed the broadcast.
On restructuring, Shehu noted that the President has no power to impose his will on the country by military diktat.
The National Assembly members are the elected representatives of the people who can handle agitation for restructuring and other constitutional changes, he said.
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.
Shehu 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.
Shehu 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,” Shehu said.
