The Presidency, Wednesday, distanced itself from the Nigerian Press Council Bill pending at the National Assembly for amendment and passage into law.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, advised Nigerian groups or individuals that have objections to the Nigerian Press Council Amendment Bill to follow due process rather than throw mud at the government, using the media.
Speaking to State House correspondents on the controversy surrounding the proposed amendment of the law sponsored as a private member’s bill, Shehu said all the attacks against the government as a result of the bill were misdirected, since it had nothing at all to do with the executive.
“This is a privately sponsored bill. President Muhammadu Buhari is not involved,” the presidential spokesman said.
He further stated that there was a process to be followed when people opposed a bill being considered by the legislature, and encouraged anyone against the proposed bill to do so.
He said: “President Buhari should not be blamed for the actions of the legislators whom we voted to represent us in the National Assembly.
“At the same time, the Presidency would like to assure everyone that, however, the process ends, President Buhari will not compromise his impeccable and untainted democratic credentials by signing into law, any bill that violates the letter or the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
