Buhari dissociates himself from sycophantic advocacy group #Istandwithbuhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has dissociated himself from the advocacy group #Istandwithbuhari that has been singing his praises endlessly and demanded that it stops claiming any alliance with his administration.

 

In true Nigerian fashion, the group has been praising President Buhari sycophantically ever since he assumed office in May last year. It attacks his critics relentlessly and casts political opponents in a bad light, accusing them of wanting to sabotage the government whenever they criticise policy.

 

Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari's spokesman, said that the president has asked those behind the group to stop using his name and that of his wife, Aisha, to promote themselves and their activities. He has told them that their stance with his administration's policy of getting on with the job and eschewing praise singing.

 

“Among other reasons, we have found it necessary to distance the presidency from the #Istandwithbuhari group because its premature and ostentatious celebration of the present administration’s achievements is totally inconsistent with President Buhari’s philosophy of service with humility. While the present  administration has indeed recorded significant successes in its priority areas of improving security across the nation, ending the Boko Haram insurgency, curbing official corruption and revamping Nigeria’s economy, President Buhari is well aware that his government still has a lot of national challenges to overcome."

 

He added that the president prefers to give his fullest attention to addressing Nigeria's challenges without the unsolicited and unwelcome distraction of untimely praise-singing from groups with dubious and questionable motives. It is not yet clear who is funding the group which has posted banners and billboards all over Nigeria and even printed T-shirts and memorabilia with President Buhari's picture.