Nigerians are enjoying total freedom of speech under my watch — President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the participation of citizens in democracy will continue to be encouraged through freedom of speech and robust political discourse.

He said this while receiving letters of credence from ambassadors and high commissioners of six countries on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Buhari claimed Nigerians have always enjoyed “unfettered” freedom of speech.

The Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Republic of India, Gangadharan Balasubramanian; Germany, Annett Gunther; Sudan, Mohamed Abdelmannan; Democratic Republic of Congo, Gerengbo Pascalin; State of Palestine, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, and The Kingdom of Netherlands, Willem Plomp, presented their Letters of Credence to President Buhari.

“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 tends to give the impression that we are constantly opposed to each other.
.
The reality is that there is so much that binds 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.

President Buhari urged the diplomats to build on the existing good relations that their predecessors had achieved by being more proactive in engagements.