As President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Abuja today, Sunday, after a 10-day private visit to the United Kingdom, the Presidency has asked those it described as apostle of evils to apologize to Nigerians for spreading rumour about the ill health of the President.The Presidency noted: “some reckless online media, irresponsible political opposition, and other bilious groups and individuals, had gone on overdrive since the President left the country on April 25, insinuating that he was going for hospitalization, and would not return after 10 days as stated. In their vain imaginations, they even stated that fictive doctors have advised President Buhari to stay longer for more intensive care.”
A statement by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, shortly after President Buhari’s plane touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said that now that the President has returned, “can these apostles of evil imaginings swallow their words?
“Can they retract their tendentious stories as well as press statements, and apologize to millions of Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora that they have fed with hogwash?”
Adesina said that the World Press Freedom Day that was celebrated recently should not be taken to mean liberty for anyone to mislead and hoodwink the populace through concocted and jejune publications.
He stressed that Buhari administration will always respect and uphold press freedom, but that the onus lies on those prone to passing off fiction as facts, to remember that freedom demands concomitant responsibility.
“Those who further share and disseminate falsehood are also encouraged to embrace responsible conduct.”
