Presidency Threatens Ezekwesili For Attacking Buhari, Army

The Presidency has issued a subtle threat to the Co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls group, Dr Oby Ezekwesili over her stand on the human rights violations going on in the South-East.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Mallam Shehu warned Ezekwesili to mind her speech when the country’s national security is under threat.

Oby Ezekwesili had, earlier on Thursday on her Twitter handle, berated President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army over the excesses of the Operation Python Dance II in South Eastern Nigeria.

She wrote:

“An operation and narrative that do not isolate those violating laws while protecting and securing rest of community is too dangerous.”

“You cannot effectively tackle law breakers by making everyone in the Community feel like they are being targeted. It is that simple.”

“What manner of engagement has the leader of our country led on this degenerating narrative? I repeat again. Pres @MBuhari owes a duty to all.”

“It is wrong for the military to have been brought into this matter. A tragedy is now unfolding.  Right-thinking Nigerians should be worried.”

In response, Garba Shehu said that “a prominent influencer like Ezekwesili has a moral and patriotic duty not to give ammunition to any violent group that seems determined to pursue its separatist agitation through reckless and destructive methods.”

He added that, “seeking to make political capital out of a chaotic situation “is highly unbecoming of her and of the reputation she has worked hard to build over the years.’’

Shehu, therefore, advised Ezekwesili, “to demonstrate a great sense of responsibility in the face of national security challenges posed by the IPOB incendiary propaganda designed to cause civil unrest in the country.”

He explained that, “while it is convenient for the civil society activist to condemn the military and the government of President Buhari, Mrs Ezekwesili didn’t find it appropriate, even once, to criticise the dangerous and violent propaganda being propagated by the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Shehu also wondered why Ezekwesili “retreated to the background or lost her voice while IPOB supporters were violently molesting, harassing, attacking and jeopardizing the lives of indigenes and non-indigenes.

He challenged Mrs. Ezekwesili to explain to Nigerians where the constitution of Nigeria, and international human rights law support the killing and molestation of innocent people in the name of advocacy for self-determination.

He said that Ezekwesili’s “hypocritical and timid silence while Kanu’s IPOB supporters were engaged in lawlessness and recklessness in violation of his bail conditions is a burden on her credibility as a national crusader who should be courageous to condemn criminality.

“This art of using a raincoat while taking a bath is nothing short of self deceit.’’

He also noted that the attacks on soldiers and policemen by IPOB supporters was “most “irresponsible, indefensible and reckless’’, adding that nobody in her position “should “elevate mobs to the status of rock stars for the sake of playing to the gallery.’’

According to the presidential aide, while the military are taking all precautions to observe the rules of engagement, “there is a deliberate sinister agenda by IPOB to provoke the soldiers into killing innocent people in retaliation.’’

He said that Nnamdi Kanu would use “the pictures of the victims for international propaganda by way of accusing the government of ethnic cleansing against the Igbos with the sole purpose of gaining sympathy.’’

“A president who has put the nation’s cash cows, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Petroleum in the hands of the Igbo; who has given four out of five states in the sub-region senior cabinet posts in his administration, including Foreign Affairs; and Industry, Trade and Investment, and is constructing the Second Niger bridge after years of deceit and false starts cannot be called a hater of the Igbo.’’

He also warned against the politicization of the ongoing military exercise in the South-East, which he said was in line with similar exercises in the five other geopolitical zones of the country.

He added that the politicization of such action was inimical to the military readiness of the armed forces and the much-desired improved civilian-military relations in the country.

He reminded her that “if the Buhari administration could take tough action against the extremist religious groups in the northern parts of the country to preserve national security, it is ridiculous to accuse the President of sending soldiers to the Southeast because he hates the Igbos.

“The Federal Government, under President Muhammadu Buhari, respects all citizens and will ensure that they are safe and secure wherever they reside.’’

Responding to Mallam Shehu’s subtle threats, Oby Ezekwesili tweeted:

“Haan. Garba Shehu? Slam? For where! @GarShehu ‘s incompetency is legendary. “Presidential Spokesman” . Model of Incompetency.”

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