President Muhammadu Buhari
President Buhari has disclosed to the international community that Nigeria enjoys unfettered freedom of speech and robust political discourse.
He stated this on Tuesday September 27, while receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners of six countries at the Presidential Villa yesterday in Abuja.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari told the diplomats that Nigeria’s strength remains in its diversity, while the constant differences in positions further signpost a strong democratic culture.
''As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, you will realise how diverse Nigeria is. We are not only multi-ethnic and religious but also multi-cultural.
“We enjoy unfettered freedom of speech and engage in robust political discourses. Sometimes, the nature of these discourses, tend to give the impression that we are constantly opposed to each other.
“The reality is that there is so much that bind us together than the few areas of our divergence. I have no doubts in my mind that you will soon appreciate our uniqueness and indeed resilience as a people, as well as our diversity which constitutes our strength.”he said
The Ambassadors and High Commissioners that received their letters of credence include: Mr. Gangadharan Balasubramanian (India), Mrs. Annett Gunther (Germany), Mr. Mohamed Yousif Ibrahim Abdelmannan (Sudan), Mrs. Gerengbo Yakivu Pascaline (Democratic Republic of Congo), Abdullah M. A. Abu Shawesh (State of Palestine), and Mr. Willem Wouter Plomp (The Kingdom of Netherlands) presented their Letters of Credence to President Buhari.