A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged critics and opposition members to embrace objective criticisms rather than making unguided remarks about Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Oyintiloye, a former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), spoke with newsmen yesterday in Osogbo.
He declared as ‘unpatriotic acts’ for Nigerians to disparage the country and its leadership in the name of politics.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, noted that persistent humiliation of the country by Nigerians living abroad and those in the country, especially some high-profile personalities, through unguided utterances, was painting the country in a bad light.
The APC chieftain said that although the constitution provided 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 done with civility and decorum when calling the attention of the country’s leadership to issues deserving their attention.
According to him, Nigeria’s global image suffers adverse effects due to unguided and unsubstantiated allegations by critics and opposition members against the Tinubu-led Administration.
“There is no doubt that the country is going through challenges that 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 negatively affecting the country’s image, which is unsuitable 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 worldwide.”
“How we portray our country and its leadership reflects how our nationality is treated worldwide. Those behind this kind of act should remember that the Internet will never forget whatever remarks they make.’’
