CONTROVERSIAL Bayelsa East senator Ben Murray-Bruce was barred from exchanging pleasantries with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa yesterday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Popular for his outspoken views, Senator Bruce, is a former director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority and the chairman of his own Silverbird Group but since last year has been the senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District. Over the weekend, Senator Bruce said he had joined his colleagues to a dinner to mark the 2016 democracy day but was not allowed access to the president, unlike other senators who were allowed to meet with President Buhari.
Senator Bruce said: I was at the presidential villa today and went to the president’s table but the DSS wouldn’t allow me greet him but let another senator greet him. My critics say I shouldn’t criticise the president openly, so I go and meet him one on one and I’m blocked. Am I not a Nigerian citizen?
“If President Buhari's handlers selectively block access to him, he runs the risk of being surrounded only by sycophants. I have nothing against the president, however, nobody is too important not to be criticised and my mouth will never be silenced.”
He added that it is fantastically corrupt that Nigeria maintains a 10 plane presidential fleet whereas the prime minister of a rich nation like UK flies commercial. Since assuming office, Senator Murray has been a vehement critic of President Buhari's economic policies.
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