The Presidency has said Nigeria is currently under the best democratic government since the advent of the fourth republic in 1999.
Shehu Garba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, stated this in an interview on Friday while discussing the state of the polity.
According to Shehu, Nigerians enjoy the freedom of speech under President Buhari’s administration.
The presidential aide also said his principal is passionate about the unity of Nigeria as well as tackling the myriads of security challenges in the country.
“This President is focused on securing this country, he is focused on the unity of this country and he will preserve it,” Shehu said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“People should be free to say whatever because this country is under the best democratic government that we have had since the fourth republic.
“The President will not lock up people, there is no assassination by state actors under Buhari and so, therefore, people can say whatever they want to say. They will go home and sleep very soundly.”
Shehu also spoke on the banditry activities in the northwestern states, reiterating his principal’s commitment to nipping the menace in the bud.
He said President Buhari has ordered the security agencies to shoot at sight anyone caught in the illegal possession of firearms, notably the AK-47 rifles.
On terrorism, the presidential spokesperson regretted that some media practitioners carry out reports that seem to glamorise crime by making some Boko Haram terrorists look like heroes.
“We have the most vibrant media community on the continent and we expect robustness or criticism from them.
“Some of the elements, I am careful to say some of the elements in our media that glamorise crime that will make Boko Haram look like heroes. It doesn’t help anybody,” he said.
Shehu also accused members of the opposition of exploiting the country’s security challenges in spite of the government’s efforts to tackle issues facing the nation.
He said: “I want to assure Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is addressing multiple challenges that are facing the country especially in dealing with security and yet we are still making progress in agriculture, economy, anti-corruption, which are the key policies that brought the party and the government to office.
“It is sad for the country that opposition is exploiting some of these things. It is quite unfortunate and I want to assure that the president remains focused on preserving the security and unity of this country.”
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