Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria
If Seriake Dickson the Governor of Bayelsa State is expecting a congratulatory message from President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent re-election for a second term of office, he had better forget it.
Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s minister of information and culture told journalists in Abuja on Monday that the President would not follow the habit of his predecessor who was of the habit of sending congratulatory messages to winners of elections regardless of party affiliation immediately after announcement of results.
Governor Dickson of Peoples Democratic Party was recently re-elected for a second term in an election that was marred by violence. He defeated Timipre Slyva of All Progressives Congress, APC, the party of President Buhari.
Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Development
There have been calls, especially from Senator Ben Bruce, a Bayelsa State PDP Senator and other members of the party that President Buhari should toe the path of former president, Goodluck Jonathan who issued statements to congratulate members of the opposition party who won governorship election during his tenure.
But Mohammed told journalists that President Buhari sees such congratulatory messages as unnecessary interference in elections or their outcomes which he will not engage in.
“This President is not in the business of interfering and intervening in elections,” the Minister said.
He also noted that the President never sent any congratulatory message to the APC candidate who was also victorious in Kogi State gubernatorial election.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State
“What of if he sent a congratulatory message and they go to court and the election is overturned, will he call back the congratulatory message? “This President believes that the presidency should be insulated from the conduct of elections and their outcomes,” Mohammed added.
He also dismissed rumours circulating on the social media that President Buhari will soon embark of 91 days medical leave.
The Minister, who said if Buhari is going to go on leave at all, he is not going to hide it, described the rumour as part of campaign of calumny against the President.
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28 Comments
Buhari is no politician but a dictator on a vengeance mission, so what do you expect from a self delusioned Islamic tyrant, an ‘Ayatollah and Supreme leader of Nigeria’ Intolerance, hatred, nihilism and oppression,but we know where all tyrants have ended in history.
Buhari is no politician but a dictator on a vengeance mission, so what do you expect from an self delusioned Islamic tyrant, an ‘Ayatollah and Supreme leader of Nigeria’ Intolerance, hatred, nihilism and oppression,but we know where all tyrants have ended in history.
I agree with both Jackie and Nnamdi. Some Nigerians are very intelligent and some are not. You will know them by their stuff. I think Lai Muhammed has not misinformed.
Kudos to you…our president, a focused leader of all time. Keep on presiding over the affairs of Nigeria with discipline, justice and faithfulness. God help you, Sai Baba.
Laid Mohammed. Be a minister and not Buhari’s Spoke’s person. He has enough.
Congratulating the governor- elect is elective. Everyone should go about the business of Nigeria. A good leader is selfless, humble and firm. I have no doubt that there is a huge capacity to do good in our president but on the other hand I see our minister of information tending towards an extreme partisanship. The polls are over, and now is the time for governing. Every Nigerian is equal and important fundamentally.
Anyone that draws lines of any form(religion, tribe and party) in this country is an enemy of Nigeria. We all need us. We should be building our Nigeria
Whether he congratulates Dickson or not we are very pleased with the fact that we defeated APC roundly both on the 5th December 2015 and 9th January 2016 Guber elections,and if the election is conducted a 100 times again we shall repeat same. As for GMB and APC 2019 is just around the corner,and Nigerians are just waiting patiently to booth them out of the Presidential villa.APC wey jo fit manage power;na how to upturn Dickson’s victory at the polls naim LIAR MOHA dey dream of.100 times Dickson will defeat APC and Sylva if elections are conducted in Bayelsa again!LIAR MOHA take note.
Dt is a President of d Federal Republic of Nigeria, not a party president who derives pleasures in leading campaigns nd sending congratulatory messages as if d survival of any state depends on it. I cannot see any common sense in dis call by Senator Ben-Bruce. It can only make sense if d gov-elect visits d President, nd den d President can congratulate him. In fact, it will be too ridiculous of him to congratulate any winner nd wen d election is contested in court nd victory overturned, to congratulate d oda person again. Part of GEJ ‘s insensitivity wic made him to congratulate Oyinlola nd Aregbesola in Osun, Segun Oni nd Fayemi in Ekiti, among others. Thumps up Mr President.
pls all Nigerians,don’t mind this misinformation minister corrupt messages.Let GMB say it for himself that he can not send congratulation to Dickson or to say he is the one who tell Liar Muhammed to said that.There is LASSA FEVER of the mouth take him to minister of health to confined him to private room in his office
Mr president say is for Nigeria, how can he show the people that is for Nigeria and not for a particular party
Buhari is a true Leader, I luv the way he control this country
We are living in a civilzed age. Actions should therefore be taken by authorities without prejudice and in conformity with global best practices.
“see intelligence”? Some people are as silly as this Lai Mohammed. Why is Ben Bruce trying to teach these cavemen civilisation? How can anyone compare Buhari with Jonathan in civility?
From the stealing , sleaze and looting of the past regime, Jonathan is definitely not worthy of emulation, nor his style, Okay? No need copying a very blurred vision.
Mr Dickson does not expect congratulatory messages from stone-age bushmen who lack the spirit of good sportsmanship.
Is this common sense or lack of it? APC government name was!
@Erice if Mr.president is ur father will said such things abi u no get old man picture for house if dey pain u go huge transformer mtchew keep it up Information minister we love but jar most
buhari’s brutality & heatlessness played itself out in his meeting with chibok parents. telling dm about cbn, fight against kworoption and also reminding dm it happened during last administration and walk out on dm without empathizing with dm after promising an inquiry. how cld one xpect sbd like dt 2 congratulate opposition after milltary & militants failed in dre bid 2rig 4 apc. lai muhammed is verbiaging & still talks like apc spokesman
na wa o but they can get congratulatory messages from people . these people are just fake
How can Mr President congratulate Dickson, who constantly accused the President, Military, and the APC for rigging an election he won.. funny dude
Who is surprised? You can only do what is in your character.
@aroboto,adeleke,opc. u people are sick. did buhari and nigeria not benefited 4m such congratulatory phone call? how cld u allow sentiment 2damage ur reasoning faculties always when
Mr president u are a very heartless man remember those who are wicked never live long on the seat of power we dnt care if u send congrats message or not where are even ur campaign promise i feel sorry people who wasted they time to vote for u
Dickson’s fraudulent victory cannot be given credibility by a congralatory message from Mr President. He would definitely be sacked by the court.
Now I understand while Lai Mohammed sank PDP….this man is extremely intelligent.
See intelligence
Congratulations today notification tomorrow, prodigal people don’t think and cannot understand till eternity
@aro. Tell them ooo
How on earth does a congratulatory message affects the life of an average Nigerian who have been kept in perpetual poverty by mindless looting of our common wealth by few greedy individuals
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