The Presidency on Monday condemned the protests by a coalition of civil society groups in Abuja and the calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign or return back home from London where he has been on medical vacation for 90 days now.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, faulted the protest while addressing State House correspondents.
He said the protest was uncalled for because the President has not breached any constitutional provisions by his continuous stay in London.
He said the protesters were merely exerting their rights to freedom of expression as contained in the 1999 constitution.
“They are exercising their rights in line with the constitution of this country of what use or value is a democracy in which citizens cannot embark on peaceful protests so we respect their right to convene or undertake peaceful protest,” he said.
Shehu also dismissed calls for the President to resign, saying they were unnecessary because Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is fully on ground to run government affairs.
He said the President had duly handed over power to the Vice President when he wrote to the National Assembly on his medical vacation to London.
“On the second issue whether the President should resign or disclose or whatever, I think they are stepping outside the laws of this country. Anyone conversant with the constitution of this country will have noticed or seen that Mr President has complied 100 per cent with the requirements of the constitution of this country.
“He has handed over power to the Vice President relying on the constitution and the Vice President is carrying out with the affairs of this country, he is undertaking activities of government in line with the constitution in a way that the President himself has given words of commendation.
“So, the President has not bridged any law what he has done is perfectly in line with the constitution of this country and people are looking for things to say, I think they should do their research very well,” he said.
Some activists have defied the heavy downpour in Abuja on Monday to protest the President’s continuous stay in London. They called on the President to either return to the country and continue his duties or resign.
