The Presidency on Sunday, August 4, 2019, declared that revolution is not the best option of changing a government.
It, however, said that a more appropriate option is to go through elections.
The presidency, through a statement by one of the spokesperson of President Buhari, Garba Shehu, was reacting to the scheduled “revolution” march on Monday 5th August, by the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria.
He said “Following calls circulating on social and digital media, an organisation that calls itself the “Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria” plans a “revolution” march tomorrow, Monday 5th August, with the aim of bringing “regime change” in Nigeria without recourse to a nationwide vote.
“The President of Nigeria and his administration respect and uphold the right of every Nigerian to peaceful protest and civil campaign– whether to raise awareness on issues, and even oppose the government. It is the inalienable right of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do so.
“There is, however, a difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution.
“The organization championing this planned action is not fronted by any serious public faces. We call on the sponsors and organizers to have the decency to come forward and make their identity known – out of respect to all Nigerians – so that Nigerians can be fully aware in whose name this “revolution” is being proposed and who the beneficiaries may be.”
He recalled that less than six months ago, Nigeria held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, which were won resoundingly by President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress party.
He added that the campaign was observed, while results were confirmed by international election monitoring groups and observers.
‘The result was even contested by the losing presidential candidate and his party in Court.” he said
He went on “The ballot box is the only constitutional means of changing government and a president in Nigeria. The days of coups and revolutions are over.
“Those making the “revolution’’ call hide behind the veil of social media modernity. But without revealing the identity of their sponsors this shadowy campaign is no better, and no more democratic, than the days of old.
“The president calls on all those who seek to use and hide behind everyday citizens to attain power through undemocratic and violent means, which has been alluded, to come out clearly and be identified.
“They should lead their march in person. Only then will they begin to have the right to call themselves leaders before the people of Nigeria,” he said.
