President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Nigerian elites to stop misleading the people through their unguarded utterances.
Buhari, who is the visitor to the University of Uyo, gave this warning at the 24th convocation ceremony of the institution on Saturday.
The President, who was represented by Mr. Ibrahim Yakasai, Director of Corporate Communications, National University Commission (NUC), said that development and progress could not thrive in a hate-filled and divisive society.
He said universities as the home of great thinkers, should give guidance to the communities to enable the people to make informed decisions as the country approaches the 2019 general elections.
He said that the Federal Government would not condone or tolerate incendiary remarks from any person or group of persons which were meant to cause fear and spread hate in the country.
Buhari said that the federal government would continue to do its best to ensure the maintenance of peace and security of lives and property in the country.
“At this point, I want to be very clear and equivocal, that the Federal Government will never condone or tolerate incendiary remarks from any person or group of persons, which are meant to harass, intimidate, cause fear and spread hate, no matter how highly placed such a person is.
“Law enforcement agencies should fish out people who make inciting statements, instigate civil disobedience, broadcast hate speeches or stir strife, riot, and rebellion and bring them to book.
“We should continue to live together as brothers and sisters,” Buhari said.
The president called on the fresh graduates to look beyond leaders who have failed themselves and the nation but choose their heroes from among those who believe in the progress of Nigeria and emulate those who are honest and work hard in their profession.
Buhari said there was a need for the curriculum of Nigerian universities to be diversified to include entrepreneurial skills to help graduates employ themselves and others after graduation.
