President Muhammadu Buhari has thanked millions of Nigerians, who ignored calls on social media to join a phantom revolution march, but instead went about their businesses.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday said that Buhari was humbled by the support, ”not for himself, or the governing party – but for the democratic values of modern-day Nigeria.”
He acknowledged that there were few hundred persons, who for their own reasons, decided to engage on the protest march against national interest.
“Today, millions of Nigerians went about their businesses: work, seeking employment, attending school/college and caring for their families.
”By doing so, the millions defended our country’s hard-won democratic rights – by ignoring calls on social media to join a phantom ‘revolution’.
“There were a few hundred persons today who, for their own reasons, decided to act upon the demands of a group calling itself Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, which went on social media to ask everyday Nigerians to overthrow the government they only elected some six months ago,’’ he said.
He said that Nigerians have, rightly, united in protecting Nigeria’s young democracy and the rights of all to elect leaders and lawmakers.
The President said that the attempt by The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria to incite citizens into a revolution against their own democratic rights and interests has failed.
The government on Monday rolled out armed security operatives in all the 36 states to stop the revolution protest, which was initiated by Mr. Omoyele Sowore, an opposition presidential candidate in February elections.
Sowore of African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher of an online outfit, Sahara Reporter, was arrested on Saturday, August 3, 2019.
MM/GIK/APA