President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday thanked Nigerians for ignoring calls by some aggrieved politicians for a nationwide protest tagged Revolution Now.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, the President said he was humbled by the support Nigerians have shown to his administration and democratic values. He said attempt by Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria to incite citizens into a revolution against their own democratic rights and interests has failed – as will all attempts to take away from the people their hard-won rights and freedom to choose who leads their country.’’
“Today, millions of Nigerians went about their businesses: work, seeking employment, attending schools/colleges 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.
“The President is humbled by the support – not for himself, or the governing party – but for the democratic values of modern-day Nigeria through the wisdom of those millions of citizens who preferred democracy and decided not to undermine an elected government.
“Today, joining those millions of Nigerians was not only the President and governing party at Federal level, but many state governments from the opposition, trade unions, civil society organizations, media and NGOs with focus on freedom of speech. All have, rightly, united in protecting Nigeria’s young democracy and the rights of all to elect leaders and lawmakers."
