Wike, Lamido, Murray-Bruce Warned Against ‘Reckless Speech’

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has cautioned Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce against statements that can negatively inflame passions in the country.

It said “reckless statements and hate speeches” by Nigerians in leadership positions could plunge the nation into internal strife or tarnish its image internationally.

The BMSG, in a statement, said: “While recognising the rights of citizens to freedom of speech under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we believe it is imperative to condemn recent unjustifiable and careless statements by those who ought to be aware of the implications of making unguarded public statements.

According to the group, in “one of these reckless statements” Wike allegedly claimed that voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections “would amount to digging the grave for the burial of Nigeria.”

It said the governor also claimed that there had been a nationwide breakdown of security, especially in APC states, which he cited as an example of the Buhari administration’s inability to productively manage natural resources.

“The BMSG considers those comments as untenable and totally against the available evidence in the public arena. The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration was embarked on to save Nigeria from continued wastage of its foreign reserves in mindless consumption of foreign goods and services through importation.

“The results of that policy thrust by the administration are already yielding fruits to the national economy, particularly in the areas of agriculture and manufacturing.”