The Presidency on Monday described the call by some protesters for ailing President Muhammadu Buhari to return to the country or resign as an irrational assault on the nation’ s constitution .
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja .
Shehu asked well-meaning members of the public to ignore the protesters who he said over-stepped their bounds.
The Presidential spokesman said , “ I wish to respond to media enquiries following demonstration by a few citizens this morning in Abuja . The demonstration is in the exercise of their freedom under the constitution , which guarantees their right to embark on peaceful protests .
“ So long as they remain peaceful, we have no problem with them. What is democracy if citizens can’t peacefully demonstrate ?
“ On the second issue , demanding the President’ s return, or resignation or certain explanations , I would say that they have over-stepped their bounds.
“ The President has complied 100 percent with the constitution by handing over power to the Vice-President before proceeding on his vacation . He has not breached any law or the constitution by staying away from office to take care of his health .
“ Equally, there is nothing like a power vacuum in the country given the competence and general harmony with which the whole government is running .
“ Any such calls as being made by this or any other group represent an irrational assault on the constitution and should be ignored by well-meaning members of the public.
“ The need of the hour for this country is to rid it of corruption, reform and reinvigorate the economy and to fight crime and insurgency .
“ The government is busy with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure all over the country. It is creating jobs for the unemployed .
“ It has set its sights on the larger picture of the country’ s development; investing in rail and power projects and redeeming the country’s image from the mountains of corruption scandals that have marred it .
“ We will not , therefore , be distracted by this or any other groups . ”