Pro-PMB group launches 'Remain and restore' campaign

The drama currently playing out between supporters and opponents of President Muhammadu Buhari has taken a new turn as a pro-Buhari group, the Coalition of Civil Societies and Youth Groups in Nigeria, has launched a new campaign tagged Remain and Restore.

While launching the new campaign, the coordinator of the group, Solomon Adodo, said the group decided to step up the campaign to silence the ongoing calls by some persons on the President to either return to the country or resign.

Speaking at the launch of the group in Abuja on Sunday, Adodo described the clamour for the resignation of the President as a mere distraction, saying the calls were championed by few Nigerians who have no idea of what governance entails.

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Addressing newsmen at the launch, Adodo said:

“These are the people that have attempted staging protests both in Abuja House, London, and on the streets of Abuja.

Their excuse for this show of shame is to ask for the absurd; they are demanding that cut short his medical vacation and immediately resume duties or resign.

This charade is absurd for those of us who recall clearly that Nigerians prevailed on President Buhari to take time off and attend to his health while strictly following his doctors' instructions."

Adodo recalled that it was equally well documented that the President followed due process by properly notifying the National Assembly of his medical vacation while also in line with the Constitution, handed over to his number two, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as the Acting President.

“The #ReturnOrResign protesters, #OurMumuDonDo protesters and any other franchise under which they gather to foment trouble, are therefore aware that their real goal is to precipitate instability since nothing about their demands are logical.

It may well be a way of starting nationwide mayhem that is definitely sponsored. Being that Nigerians were the one that pressured President Buhari to seek treatment, we believe that Nigerians will also not keep mute while some mischievous elements use the medical vacation as a cover to cause instability.

As a first step we are launching, 'Remain and Restore' with the hashtag #RemainAndRestore, as a series of nationwide protests in Lagos and Abuja. The objective of this action is to remind Mr. President that Nigerians want him to stay back for his treatment, continue his medical leave and recover while he continues to issue instructions on how to restore Nigeria. This is the ideology of #RemainAndRestore.

The rallies which are to commence in Abuja and Lagos over a period of several days will feature dance drama and songs by participants to itemize the President's achievement particularly in the area of insecurity and economic prosperity.

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We, therefore, urge Nigerians and of course, President Buhari, not succumb to the antics of self-professed professional protesters that have decided to make themselves into a nuisance.

We should all endeavor to come out en masse and show that they have given their mandate for Mr. President to heed his doctors' advice and recover further before resuming duties," Adodo concluded.

Recall that renowned musician and entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly called Charly Boy, has been leading a protest against the long absence of President Buhari from the country due to his ill-health.