TheCable

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says Junaidu Mohammed, a fierce critic of President Muhammadu Buhari has been “infected by pathological cynicism”.

Reacting to a comment by Mohammed that Buhari does not acknowledge mistakes, Shehu said the former member of the house of representatives was only seeking publicity.

He said taking responsibility for mistakes is one of the “finest components” of integrity, and Buhari has never failed in demonstrating this virtue in words and deeds.

“It is obvious that Dr. Junaidu appears to be infected by pathological cynicism and these kinds of critics are toxic to national progress because they are only primarily interested in destroying every positive effort and achievements of the government,” he said in a statement.

“We advise Nigerians to be wary of prejudiced and biased critics like Dr. Junaidu Mohammed who are more interested in personal publicity than respecting facts and figures about their claims.

“If Junaidu Mohammed wants to be taken seriously, he should demonstrate the duty of speaking truthfully about those he frequently attacks in his interviews.”

Shehu said Mohammed had attacked past presidents, but “retreated” when it got to the turn of Sani Abacha, former military dictator, out of the fear of being killed.

“It must be noted that President Buhari was not the only target of Junaidu’s personal vituperations, as former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo,Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan, had all been victims of his jaundiced and malicious attacks.

“When it came to the late Sani Abacha, he tried it, but once he saw the prospect of elimination, he retreated.

“A cursory library search will reveal that this man has nurtured the habit of insulting every leader this country has produced in his time. Like a narcissist, he is just interested in grabbing headlines. Without publicity, Dr. Junaidu would probably give up on life.”

Shehu said it was unfortunate that Mohammed had been using his “political retirement life” to engage in insulting “every president to grab the newspaper headlines”.