A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has cautioned critics and opposition members against making disparaging remarks about President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said this while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

He noted that it was unpatriotic for Nigerians to disparage the country and its leadership in the name of politics.

Mr Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, observed that persistent humiliation of the country abroad through unguided utterances by high-profile personalities was causing a lot of damage to Nigeria’s reputation.

The APC chieftain said that although the constitution provides for freedom of speech and expression, this must not be seen as an opportunity to use inappropriate language against the country and its leadership.

Mr Oyintiloye said that criticism of government policies and programmes must be done with all sense of civility and decorum when calling the attention of the leadership to any noticeable lapses.

According to him, the identity of the country abroad is being affected negatively due to unguided and unsubstantiated allegations by critics and members of the opposition.

“There is no doubt that the country is passing through challenges which the current administration is doing its best to stabilise.

“Making disparaging remarks about our dear country and the President abroad in the name of politics is affecting the image of the country negatively, and this is not good for our progress.

“No matter the challenges, our leaders must be accorded respect and dignity because they are our representatives around the world.

“The way and manner we portray our country and its leadership is a reflection of how our nationality is being treated around the world.

“We should imbibe the culture of Americans who will always say ‘God Bless America’ no matter the situation they find themselves in.

“We must desist from pulling down our country and its leadership across the globe,” he stated.

According to him, disparaging the country and its leadership will do no one good, but with prayers and positive collective efforts, we will overcome.

“Those behind this kind of act should remember that the internet never forgets whatever negative remarks they make against the country.

“At the appropriate time, they may be the victim of these negative remarks made against the country and its people,” the former lawmaker said.

Mr Oyintiloye said that many Nigerians living abroad were being singled out for investigation, harassment, and various forms of humiliation due to the negative words the host country had heard about Nigeria.

He said that critics and opposition members must look beyond politics and stop destroying the country’s image with disparaging remarks.

Mr Oyintiloye expressed hope that the country would soon overcome its challenges, and “we will all be proud to be called Nigerians in any part of the world.”

 (NAN)