Press Council Bill: Don’t blame Buhari for actions of lawmakers, Garba Shehu tells critics
Nigerian groups or individuals that have objections to the Nigerian Press Council Amendment Bill have been told to follow due process rather than throw mud at the government using the media.
Speaking to State House correspondents on the controversy surrounding the proposed amendment of the law sponsored as a Private Member’s Bill, a presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, pointed out that all the attacks against the government as a result of the bill were misdirected, since it has nothing at all to do with the Executive.
“This is a privately-sponsored bill. President Muhammadu Buhari is not involved,” Shehu said.
In a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjo, a deputy director in the Media Office of President Muhammadu Buhari, Shehu added that there is a process to be followed when people oppose a bill that is being considered by the Legislature, and encouraged anyone against the proposed bill to do so.
“President Buhari should not be blamed for the actions of the legislators whom we voted to represent us in the National Assembly.
“At the same time, the Presidency would like to assure everyone that, however the process ends, President Buhari will not compromise his impeccable and untainted democratic credentials by signing into law, any bill that violates the letter or the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Garba Shehu said.
