The presidency on Monday said shunning the “ RevolutionNow “ protests shows that democracy is winning in Nigeria.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the Presidency declared that “ by doing so, the millions defended our country’s hard-won democratic rights – by ignoring calls on social media to join a phantom ‘revolution.”
The Presidency noted that “millions of Nigerians went about their businesses: work, seeking employment, attending schools/colleges and caring for their families.
The government on Sunday urged the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, which planned the “ revolution” march for Monday, to shelve the idea, adding that change can only come through the ballot box in an election, under the democratic system
The presidency however, noted that there were a few hundred persons today who, for their own reasons, decided to act upon the demands of a group calling itself Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, which went on social media to ask everyday Nigerians to overthrow the government they only elected some six months ago.
Shehu said: “The President is humbled by the support – not for himself, or the governing party – but for the democratic values of modern-day Nigeria through the wisdom of those millions of citizens who preferred democracy and decided not to undermine an elected government.”
Presidency also applauded the opposition, the trade unions as well as Civil Society groups for ignoring the call for “Revolution.”
“Today, joining those millions of Nigerians was not only the President and governing party at Federal level, but many state governments from the opposition, trade unions, civil society organisations, media and NGOs with focus on freedom of speech.”
It noted that by not participating in the protests, all have, rightly, united in protecting Nigeria’s young democracy and the rights of all to elect leaders and lawmakers.
“The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria’s attempt to incite citizens into a revolution against their own democratic rights and interests has failed, as will all attempts to take away from the people their hard-won rights and freedom to choose who leads their country.”
