By Seyi Babalola
President-elect Bola Tinubu has challenged his social media critics to continue saying anything they want on different online platforms, claiming that it is a free speech culture.
Tinubu made the statement against the backdrop of the varied reactions that greeted his response to Govern Nyesom Wike’s request for a refund of the monies he spent on federal roads in Rivers State.
Tinubu explained that the reason he told Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that he would not reimburse the cost of the flyovers he built in the state was that he couldn’t make any guarantee until he was sworn in as President.
Tinubu reprised the debate with Wike at a gala in his honour on Wednesday night, remarking that it elicited a lot of emotions on social media.
But the former Lagos State Governor said there is no name he has not been called on social media, stating that he does not respond to social media criticisms.
His words: “I exchanged banter with Gov Wike, if you take me seriously, (it’s left to you). The truth is, I’m a President-elect. I have no signature for expenditure until sworn in. How can I make a commitment? I cannot sign a dime of Nigeria money or expenditure now. There can only be one president at a time.
“If you ask me to go and commit to things that are mere expectations and cannot be fulfilled, I believe in fulfilling promises, that’s why I’m here. And we have to do it for Nigeria. I thank you all for the support you gave me during the election, but I’m still on a countdown.
“If I sign anything for you now and commit to it, I can’t pay. For that flyover, how can I pay, personal? That’s not realistic.
“I hope that clears the social media fears. I don’t respond to (social media talks). There is no name they’ve not called me on (social media). It’s a free speech society and around the world.”
