The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria has warned the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, from uttering insensitive statements in reaction to heightened calls for restructuring of the country.
DAWN’s Director-General, Seye Oyeleye, described Shehu’s comments as unfortunate and unwelcoming, and advised President Muhammadu Buhari to carefully consider the calls, rather than discountenance it.
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Oyeleye said, “What Garba Shehu said is very unfortunate because government is enlisted to serve and listen to the people. If the people are clamouring for a particular thing, it is the duty of government to listen and ask why and is what they are clamouring for right or wrong? What they should do is that they should have listening ears.
“The whole country is saying that we need to restructure for us to survive as a country. Why is the clamour for restructuring becoming louder? What is this government doing that is necessitating the clamour? That is what this government should sit down and do. They should not see it as being indicated or threatened.
“The clamour for restructuring should not be seen as threatening or intimidating the government. For Shehu Garba to come out to say that government cannot be intimidated is a very unfortunate statement. A government in democracy should be listening. This is not a military government.”
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