Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, says aside from the
security challenges facing the country, Nigeria is battling a “deadlier war of
tongues”.
Adesina, who was referring to harsh critics of the present
administration, said some persons have dedicated themselves to seeing nothing
good about government’s efforts.
Presenting his thoughts in a Facebook post on Thursday, he
cited issues bordering on insecurity and the state of the economy, and
cautioned critics against taking advantage of the right to freedom of speech.
“Our country is at war today on many fronts. Nigeria battles insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery, cult killings, ritual murders, and war of tongues,” he wrote.
“War of tongues. Is
that a new one? No, it’s as old as man, but it is perhaps the deadliest of all
the wars. It is fiercer than insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnappings,
armed robbery, cult killings, ritual murders, all put together.
“A war of tongues has been unleashed on Nigeria, her
leadership, anyone in government, in fact anybody serving the country in one
capacity or the other. Want to become an enemy of the public? Then just take a
position in government, major or minor. Irrespective of where you were coming
from, your stature and station in life, you become an enemy. You may have
served creditably in the military, rising to become a General, been a military
head of state, headed the Petroleum Trust Fund exceptionally, and now a
two-term civilian President, a war of tongues that is so virulent and
mind-boggling, is unleashed against you.
“A vicious war of tongues is raging in the country, and from
President Muhammadu Buhari, down to the least political appointee in
government, no one is spared. And who are the warriors? So-called social
activists and commentators. Newspaper columnists. Talk show hosts on TV, radio,
influencers on social media, bloggers, anyone who can afford an
Internet-enabled smartphone, politicians, and very embarrassingly, clergymen.
The ones who should teach us to bridle our tongues. They say things that make
the flesh tingle, with a chill running down the spine. No grace, no decorum,
using words that are not seasoned with salt. Do they read another Holy Bible?
Another Holy Quran? Holy Moses!”
In his comment on those criticising President Muhammadu
Buhari’s recent medical trip to the United Kingdom, Adesina said some of such
remarks came from “people in the gall of bitterness, overtaken by paroxysms of
hatred”.
He, however, called for caution, especially on security
matters, adding that however critics choose to make their points, they should
remember that there could be consequences.
“No government would love to see its citizens killed.
Maimed. Displaced. Unhappy. And if anything, the Buhari administration is doing
so much in battling the insecurity in the land,” he said.
“But sadly, it faces another deadlier war-the war of
tongues. Why don’t we pause and think that it is the only country we have, and
begin to speak better, more positive things?
“I am surprised at
some of our clerics, particularly the Christian ones, since it is the religion
I am more familiar with. They speak as if they read another Bible. They preach
hate from the pulpits, propagate falsehood, generate animosity against
government. And when these things are fully grown, the animus boils over, leads
to violence and upheavals, lives are lost.
“Don’t these preachers of hate know that they are liable,
and won’t be found guiltless? May God save us from war of tongues, even from
those who should be showing us examples.”
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