A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has cautioned critics and opposition members in the country against making unguided remarks about Nigeria and the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
Oyintiloye issued the warning while addressing journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.
He described as unpatriotic the act of disparaging the country and its leadership in the name of politics.
The former lawmaker noted that the persistent humiliation of the country by Nigerians at home and abroad, particularly by some high-profile personalities, through unguided utterances, was tarnishing the nation’s image.
The APC chieftain said that although the constitution guaranteed freedom of speech and expression, “this must not be seen as an opportunity to use uncultured words against the country and its leadership.”
He advised that criticism of government policies and programmes should be expressed with civility and decorum when drawing the attention of the nation’s leadership to pressing issues.
According to him, “Nigeria’s global image is suffering negative effects due to unguided and unsubstantiated allegations by critics and members of the opposition against Tinubu’s administration.
“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.
“The way and manner we portray our country and its leadership is a reflection of how our nationality is being treated around the world. Those behind this kind of act should remember that the 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. We should imbibe the culture of Americans who will always say ‘God Bless America’ no matter the situation they find themselves in.
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.”
He lamented that many Nigerians living abroad were being subjected to investigation, harassment, and other forms of humiliation as a consequence of negative remarks by individuals determined to damage the country’s image.
He urged critics and opposition members to look beyond politics and desist from destroying the nation’s reputation with disparaging words.
Oyintiloye expressed confidence that, sooner or later, the country would surmount its challenges.
“We will all be proud to be called Nigerians in any part of the world,” he concluded.
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