Presidential Spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has defended President Muhammadu Buhari over Thursday night national broadcast.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said President Buhari’s speech did not omit the Lekki shooting.
Adesina who was a guest on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday, said contrary to the belief that Buhari did not talk about the tragic incident at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, the President’s message to the international community was on Lekki shooting.
After the president’s speech, many had described him as insensitive for not recognizing or referencing the lives lost during the Lekki shooting on Tuesday.
“It was not omitted. That message to the international community was on Lekki shooting,” the presidential spokesman insisted.
“It is not true. Somewhere in that speech, the President spoke to the international community.
He thanked those who had sought understanding before they made comments.
“He was also telling those who were hasty in their judgement to seek more information. He didn’t miss out anything.”
Speaking also on a virtual meeting President Buhari held with former Nigerian leaders on Friday, Adesina said the ex-leaders praised his principal for addressing the shooting in Lagos.
He quoted Obasanjo as saying, “I commend the speech of last night. The nation had been waiting. You made points that I believe need to be commended.
“Peaceful demonstration is part of democratic practice. The demands of the genuine protesters were accepted, and you are working on implementation.
We commend you.”
Adesina’s reaction comes three days after peaceful protesters were killed and many others injured after security operatives opened fire at them in Lekki.
