The myriad of challenges bedeviling the country is courtesy of Nigerians engaging in “war of tongues” against Nigeria, says the president’s spokesman Femi Adesina.

In this latest weekly article published on his Facebook page on Thursday, the presidential aide who is also a Pentecostal preacher excoriated Nigerians, especially religious and political leaders for “utter negativity” against Nigeria.

“But the role of some Nigerians in perpetuating anomie in the country is worrisome. Through their tongues. They say evil about the country, utter negativity, thinking they are saying it against the government of the day,” Mr Adesina said.

“I mean even bishops, pastors, imams, commentators, talk show hosts, all sorts. They are engaged in war of tongues with Nigeria. They don’t know that the more they say it, the more evil happens. The cup fills up, and runs over,” he added.

Mr Adesina’s sermonisation comes in the wake of barrages of attacks by bandits terrorising parts of the country.

On Monday, bandits, in a coordinated attack bombed a train conveying about 1,000 travellers from Kaduna to Abuja, killing eight and injuring 27. Many high profile travellers have been missing and feared abducted.

The president’s image maker condemned the act, swiftly deflecting the blame on critics of the government he serves.

Before now, Mr Adesina had also admitted that life has become “brutish, nasty and short in Nigeria,” lamenting the spate of insecurity in the country.

The Buhari regime has come under fire for failing to rein in armed groups across the country, who conduct mass abductions of schoolchildren, among other criminal activities with reckless abandon.

The regime has expended millions of dollars to purchase exotic weapons and fighter jets with promises to rout the insurgents. Yet, it has failed woefully to achieve security of lives and properties in its seven years of rule.