Why Nigerians should not believe presidency over Trump’s ‘phone call’ - Group
- A group has urged Nigerians not to believe the reported call between President Trump and his Nigerian counterpart, Buhari
- The group insisted that it lacks credibility that Presidential media adviser Femi Adesina who is unaware of the president’s whereabouts to know the exact thing the two presidents discussed
- They noted that unless the white house confirm the phone call, Nigerians should disregard the report
International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) has given reasons why Nigerians should not believe the reported conversation between President Donald Trump of the United States of America and President Muhammadu Buhari who is on medical vacation in London.
The group said this in a statement made available on their website on Monday, January 13.
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In a press statement which was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi; and Head, Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law Programme, Barr. Obianuju Igboeli, the group accused the Nigerian Presidency of lying to Nigerians concerning the reported call.
Part of the report red: “Of all the trending and unfolding dramas associated with the whereabouts and true health status of President Muhammadu Buhari, the latest is gravely disturbing and diplomatically weighty; capable of causing serious diplomatic rows between Nigeria and the new Donald Trump Administration in Washington; if found to be an extension of trending presidential falsehood,” Intersociety said.
“It observed that “all leading local and foreign news media were hours ago awash with news of Trump speaking with Muhammadu Buhari and inviting him to Washington at a mutually convenient date.
“In the said telephone discussion, President Trump was further quoted as encouraging President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing; commended Buhari for his efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military. Both leaders were also quoted as discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.
“President Trump was further quoted as assuring the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.
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According to the group: “Such diplomatic conversations can only take place between two mentally coherent and bodily agile Presidents. If the Nigerian President is that bodily agile and mentally coherent, why is he not on seat in Nigeria? Not even the defence of ‘doctors’ advice and results of medical tests’ can keep a hale and hearty President off his presidential seat for three weeks running, if he is truly hale and hearty, to the extent of having such weighty diplomatic conversations with the world No. 1 President at this point in time.
“The same new US President said to be calling President Buhari was factually seen globally receiving the Prime Minister of Canada at the White House and at the same time or hour of the purported long diplomatic conversations with President Buhari.
“Common sense and circumstances have also made mockery of the authenticity that would have been attached to such diplomatic conversations. The aspect of diplomatic calls to President Buhari from President Donald Trump at this point in time, if true, can only be pitiable or sympathetic calls and on health grounds.
“This is owing to the fact that all is not well with President Muhammadu Buhari wherever he is; leading to his transfer of presidential powers and functions to his Vice President. Since there is a coherent acting President on seat in Nigeria, such weighty diplomatic calls should have been appropriately directed to the acting President.
The group went further to say that: “Unless the authorities of the White House and the United States Department of State speak in concurrence and authoritatively from Washington DC; confirming all that Mr. Femi Adesina said President Trump said to President Muhammadu Buhari, otherwise we ask all Nigerians to ignore the statements or accept them with a pinch of salt. Not even a concurrence statement from the US Embassy in Nigeria can expressly be convincing and acceptable to all and sundry.
“This is because of the likelihood of the Embassy being contaminated by trending presidential virus or falsehood, or in the name of ‘diplomatic pressures’. Funny enough, the same Mr. Femi Adesina that barely knows where his boss is or visits or joins him wherever he is, has suddenly appeared in the presence of his boss to record what he discussed with President Donald Trump,” the group said.
Meanwhile, the Presidency on Tuesday, January 14 said Nigerians should expect President Buhari any time from now because he is no longer “enjoying his stay’’ outside the country.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu made this known in an interview with the Channels Television in Abuja on Tuesday.
Source: Legit.ng
