ABEOKUTA – Security expert and peace advocate, Otunba Adejare Rewane Adegbenro has urged politicians and commentators to exercise caution in their remarks about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning against statements that could inflame tensions in the polity.
He gave the warning in an interview programme on ITV in Abuja.
Reacting to a recent remark credited to Lauretta Onochie that the president is running the country like a WhatsApp groups, Adegbenro expressed disappointment, stressing that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must avoid divisive rhetoric.
“The party is APC, the president is APC. Irrespective of whether you are for Buhari or Tinubu, you shouldn’t say such a loose and callous statement to whip sentiment. Many of them are only looking for ways to get back into government,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu deserves the space to govern without distractions.
“It hurts me that a lot of people do not know Asiwaju. If you know him, you would know he’s never distracted. It’s his turn, let him lead in peace and stop stoking enmity. You don’t have to like the president. If you don’t want him, then go contest against him in 2027 instead of this pull-down syndrome,” he declared.
Addressing criticisms from the opposition, Adegbenro insisted that President Tinubu inherited a severely weakened economy and has taken bold steps to restore stability.
“What has the president done to deserve such destructive criticism? The president met a decayed economy. No one else would have taken the audacious steps he has taken to get the economy back on track. There’s no way anybody could have fixed that level of decay in just two years. Tinubu means well, but for Nigeria to move forward, we all need to be involved,” he argued.
He dismissed persistent attacks from commentators as unhelpful, urging them to engage constructively in nation-building.
“The armchair critics should join politics. I’m glad the president is not distracted by the naysayers. He’s focused on the assignment at hand, and the gains of his steps are already trickling in,” he noted.
On the issue of delayed ambassadorial appointments, Adegbenro explained that the decision was based on priority.
“Appointing ambassadors is not cheap. The president is prioritising poverty eradication, which is why interventions at states and local government levels have increased significantly. Scrutiny is ongoing and at the right time, ambassadors will be appointed,” he said.
Commenting on reports of opposition parties forming a coalition, the security expert said such development was welcome.
“Opposition is good for democracy. Let them run,” he concluded.
