By Jude Opara
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has urged Nigerians, especially members of the opposition parties, to desist from making statements that could incite the masses against the government.
He said: “Making comments that could incite the masses against the government in the name of politics is unpatriotic and should be avoided.”
Mr Oyintiloye said that while it is the right of the opposition parties to act as watchdogs to the government’s policies and programmes, making comments that could destabilise the country was not the best approach.
The APC chieftain, who made the remarks in a chat with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, said that unchecked negative comments and criticisms by the opposition parties could cause unnecessary distractions to the government.
Mr Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the government needed constructive criticism from the opposition to help it concentrate on delivering goods governance.
The APC chieftain said politics of bitterness and hatred by the opposition would not promote unity but bring division and ill feelings among the citizens.
Mr Oyintiloye said that anyone hiding under the umbrella of the opposition to incite the masses against the government through comments should be regarded as an enemy of the country.
He noted that the recent comments by some members of the opposition parties against the president were not necessary.
“Members of the opposition parties have the right to criticise the government, but such should be constructive to assist the government to achieve its best for the people.
“Constructive criticism is about appreciating the good policies and highlighting the drawbacks, and not despising the policies and programmes of the government,” the APC chieftain said.
Mr Oyintiloye, however, said the government, with all sense of responsibility, should take seriously constructive criticism that would improve the country and make it enviable among the comity of nations.
