A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged opposition parties in Nigeria to refrain from making statements that could incite the public against the government.
He urged them to focus on constructive criticism instead.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, emphasised that while opposition parties have the constitutional right to hold the government accountable, their criticism should not destabilise the country or create unnecessary distractions for the Federal Government.
“The truth is that we don’t have any other country except Nigeria, and that is why we need to play the role of opposition reasonably.
“Making comments that could incite the masses against the government in the name of politics is unpatriotic and should be avoided,” Oyintiloye said.
In a statement on Sunday, he noted that unchecked negative comments and criticisms from the opposition could sow division and foster bitterness among Nigerians, which, he said, would do little to promote national unity.
He stressed that constructive criticism, rather than destructive rhetoric, was essential for fostering good governance.
“Members of opposition parties have the right to criticise the government, but such criticism should be constructive to assist the government in achieving its best for the people.
“Constructive criticism is about appreciating good policies and highlighting drawbacks—not despising the policies and programmes of the government.
“If done in good faith, it will uphold the true essence of democracy, improve the quality of governance, and create a better society,” he added.
The APC chieftain, who also served as a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, said that any individual or group hiding under the guise of opposition to incite the public through inflammatory comments should be seen as an enemy of the country.
He expressed concern over recent comments made by some opposition members against the president, which, he said, had led to unnecessary uproar.
Calling for collaboration between the government and its critics, Oyintiloye urged the Federal Government to welcome constructive criticism with a sense of responsibility, as it could help refine policies and ensure better governance.
He also advised that critical stakeholders should be engaged during policy formulation to minimise unnecessary opposition during implementation.