APC Leader Cautions Nigerians On Negative Remarks

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on Nigerians at home and abroad to stop making negative comments about the country.

He warned that such remarks could damage Nigeria’s image and also return to haunt those who make them.

Oyintiloye made the appeal in Osogbo, stressing that the constant flow of unguarded statements about Nigeria and its leaders was already affecting how the country is perceived internationally. He said that while citizens have the right to question government policies, such criticism should be civil and constructive.

The caution comes at a time when President Bola Tinubu faces harsh criticism over rising poverty linked to the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies. The federal government has also been under fire for failing to end widespread insecurity, especially in regions battling killings and attacks.

One of the most outspoken critics, activist Omoyele Sowore, is currently facing several court cases brought by the Nigeria Police Force. He has frequently used his social media platforms to accuse the government of corruption and poor leadership, sparking clashes with security agencies.

Oyintiloye urged Nigerians not to let politics push them into disrespecting the country’s institutions and leadership. According to him, those who continue to drag the nation’s image into ridicule may face the consequences of their words later, as online statements are permanent records.

He argued that other countries, like the United States, maintain a culture of showing loyalty to their nation despite internal challenges, adding that Nigerians should adopt the same approach by seeking progress through prayers and collective effort rather than constant condemnation.

The APC leader also noted that many Nigerians abroad have been subjected to harassment and investigations due to the poor image created by negative portrayals of the country. He maintained that the situation was unfair to the majority of citizens who remain patriotic and hopeful about Nigeria’s future.

Meanwhile, the tension between activist Sowore and the Department of State Services has deepened. On September 6, the DSS asked X Corp., the owner of Twitter, to delete a post where Sowore criticized President Tinubu during his state visit to Brazil. The agency described the post as defamatory and a security threat.

The DSS also reportedly wrote to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, demanding that Sowore’s account be deactivated for the same reasons. Sowore, however, refused to back down, insisting that he would not delete the post and accusing the government of trying to silence dissent.

The ongoing clash highlights the struggle between free speech and national security, while Oyintiloye’s warning reflects a growing debate on how Nigerians should express discontent without damaging the nation’s global standing.