Presidency has described those who commented on the timing of the airing of the documentary on President Muhammadu Buhari as inveterate complainers whose stock-in-trade is fault finding and who “if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God.”
In a statement today, Sunday, reacting to the documentary which was sired today, Sunday, in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and in Channels Television tomorrow, Monday, the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina acknowledged however that some of the comments are borne out of genuine concern, “which we appreciate,” but that others are virulent, coming from inveterate complainers.
“Fault finding is the stock-in-trade of such people, and if they mistakenly find themselves in Heaven, they would even complain against God. They have no other pastime.
“The reactions mainly dwell on the fact that a documentary showing the human side of the President (as against the well known iron and steel) is coming at a time there is severe fuel scarcity in the country. And I say, why not? Is life all about doom and gloom? Must we sit in ashes and wear sackcloth perpetually, and ignore the brighter side of life? God forbid!”
Femi Adesina argued that the current fuel crisis is a combination of what he called ‘snafu (Situation Normal All Fouled Up)’ in the distribution process of petrol, which the NNPC admitted at the onset of the problem.
He added that there has been also deliberate mischief and sabotage by some marketers, who want to force the hands of government to increase the pump price.
According to the Presidential spokesman, the situation is further compounded by hoarding of products and panic buying, stressing that government is working round the clock to restore normalcy, which will come in a matter of time.
He then asked: “should we then be perpetually like King Lear at his worst, and consign ourselves to the doldrums occasioned by fuel scarcity at a festive period? No.
“Despite the temporal pains, life must continue, and we must look at the cheery side, while government works hard to bring succour.
“That is why I disagree with armchair critics, who wail at the drop of a hat. Millions of Nigerians appreciate President Buhari, love him passionately, and would watch the airing of the documentary, which shows the President in a perspective not very well known before.
“It’s a spice for the holiday season, and not even ephemeral fuel crisis would dampen the enthusiasm of positive minded Nigerians.”[myad]