Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to wind down their criticism of the Nigerian leader this year.
Mr Adesina gave the advice in his last article for the year 2020 urging critics of the administration to calm down and wail less in 2021.
His principal has faced much criticism since he took over power in 2015. His slowpoke in decision making especially appointing minister after six months of taking oath of office earned him the sobriquet “Baba Go Slow”. He is described by critics as the most nepotistic president the country has produced so far.
The detractors are quick to cite government appointments given to mostly Northerners and the forceful ousting of Walter Onnoghen, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) prior to the 2019 election.
But advising the critics on how to conduct their affairs this year, the presidential spokesman said his principal needs less distraction and much praise to carry out his constitutional duties as president.
“…2021 is the year of work. Hard work, to deliver on the major projects by next year. Is it then a year to continue wailing? No. It is the year to calm down. A year for wailing wailers to find a vocation, and allow government to concentrate, and deliver on projects at hand,” Mr Adesina wrote.
“Anybody who loves the country must resolve to give government as less distraction as possible this year. Yes, there are challenges: security, economy, improving quality of lives. Lack of jobs. Inflation.. And many others. But is it the year to wail? No. We should rather hail, encourage government to do better, and engender better standards of living for Nigerians.
“So, what am I saying. No criticism in 2021? No. But let it not be a full time vocation, as it has been with some people. They will criticize the rail project of the government, calling it white elephant, but will be the first to hop on the trains, taking selfies in it. Wailers, calm down.
“Please, “be calming down” in 2021, so that government can function with less distractions. It is not the year to cavil, find unnecessary faults, and fill the land with lamentations,” he added.
