President Bola Tinubu has sent a message to those hurling insults and harsh words at him, saying he remains committed to upholding their right to free expression, no matter how unkind.
Speaking before lawmakers on Democracy Day, Tinubu emphasized the need for tolerance and broad-mindedness in Nigeria’s political space.
He urged the National Assembly to embrace dialogue over dictatorship, persuasion over suppression, and rights over might.
“Don’t be afraid to hear an unkind word against you,” he said. “Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his fiercest opponents.”
He cautioned against suppressing dissent, warning that silencing critical voices could lead to unrest and undermine democracy.
“While slander and libel must not go unaddressed, no one should suffer injustice for simply writing a negative report about me or calling me names,” Tinubu declared. “Call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so.”
His remarks come amid growing online criticism and political tensions, as citizens freely express dissatisfaction with government performance.
