Watch What You Say About Nigeria and The Government – APC Leader Cautions Critics 

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While not contesting the right to freedom of expression, a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has advised against using the freedom to the detriment of the country and her leaders. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that those who castigate the image of the country under the guise of criticizing the policies of the government are not helping the country in any way. He has, therefore, advised against making unguarded statements about the country and the administration of President Bola Tinubu. 

Oyintiloye, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, described as ‘unpatriotic acts’ actions by Nigerians to disparage the country and its leadership in the name of politics. He drew attention to persistent humiliation of the country by some Nigerians living abroad and those in the country, especially some high-profile personalities, through unguided utterances, adding that such utterances paint the country in bad light.

He counseled such critics against using the constitutional right to freedom of expression as “an opportunity to use uncultured words against the country and its leadership.” Rather, he said that criticism of government policies and programmes should be done with the sense of civility and decorum when, aimed at “Calling the attention of the leadership of the country to issues deserving their attention.”

He said that the path being taken by the so-called critics impugned on the image of Nigeria in the international community.

He said, “There is no doubt that the country is passing through challenges which the current administration is doing its best to address.

“But making unguided remarks about our dear country by Nigerians living abroad in the name of politics is affecting the image of the country negatively, and this is not good for our progress. 

“Many people living in the country are also guilty of this.

“No matter the challenges, our leaders must be accorded respect and dignity because they are our representatives around the world.”

Just in case the critics are oblivious of the consequences of their actions, Oyintiloye said, “The way and manner we portray our country and its leadership is a reflection of how our nationality is being treated around the world.”

And should the pertrators of such actions forget that whatever they say today may hunt them in future, he said, “Those behind this kind of act should remember that Internet will never forget whatever remarks they make. 

“At the appropriate time, they may be the victim of whatever negative remarks made against the country and her people.”

Perhaps to avoid such consequence, Oyintiloye counseled, “We should imbibe the culture of Americans who will always say ‘God Bless America’ no matter the situation they find themselves. 

We must desist from pulling down our country and its leadership across the globe.

“Disparaging our country and its leadership will do no one good, but with prayers and positive collective efforts, we will overcome.”

Should the critics doubt his argument, he points to the experience of many Nigerians living abroad who, he said, are singled out for investigation, harassment, and all sorts of humiliation due to the negative remarks by people hell-bent on destroying the image of the country.

The former lawmaker said this should persuade the critics and opposition leaders to look beyond politics and stop destroying the country’s image with disparaging words, expressing the hope 

that very soon the country would overcome its challenges, and “we will all be proud to be called Nigerians in any part of the world.”