Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) barred Ben Murray Bruce, representative of Bayelsa east senatorial district, from exchanging pleasantries with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa on Monday.
According to Bruce, who joined his colleagues to a dinner to mark the 2016 democracy day, he had attempted to greet the president like a senator did, but the security agent denied him access.
“I was at the Presidential villa today. Went to the President’s table. DSS wouldn’t allow me greet him but let another Senator greet him,” he tweeted.
I was at the Presidential villa today. Went to the President’s table. DSS wouldn’t allow me greet him but let another Senator greet him!
Advertisement— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016
“My critics say I shouldn’t criticize the president openly, so I go and meet him one on one and I’m blocked. Am I not a Nigerian citizen?
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My critics say I shouldn’t criticize the President openly, so I go and meet him one on one and I’m blocked. Am I not a Nigerian citizen?
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016
“If PMB’s handlers selectively block access to him, he runs the risk of being surrounded only by sycophants!
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Kadir, if PMB’s handlers selectively block access to him, he runs the risk of being surrounded only by sycophants! pic.twitter.com/5MDW5rZwYx
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016
“I have nothing against the President, however, nobody is too important to be criticized and my mouth will never be silenced!”
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Bruce is known to be very critical of the current administration, particularly the president.
Few hours before the villa incident, he tweeted: “It’s ‘fantastically corrupt’ that Nigeria maintains a 10 plane Presidential fleet whereas the PM of a rich nation like UK flies commercial!”
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Its ‘fantastically corrupt’ that Nigeria maintains a 10 plane Presidential fleet whereas the PM of a rich nation like UK flies commercial!
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016
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On Sunday, the lawmaker alleged that Buhari and his ministers spent the whole of last year giving excuses.
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6 comments
If we can’t take criticism we can’t grow/change.
Did we all see the tongue-in-cheek video of Obama and Boehner on retirement plans. In Naija style they should be arch-enemies.
@DSS he is president to all not just to those who sing his praises. GROW UP.
The government of the day is insensitive and factional. That they could the term their debut year in office a triumph shows the extent of their delusion. A senator with the mandate of many Nigerians is barred, then we are all barred. An egotistical analogue president in a digital dispensation is what we have.
Its so convenient to insult the president. Did the president prevent Ben Bruce or the DSS official who is doing his job?. The DSS guys can tell the president he can’t move an inch for his safety and he will oblige them so waT is the business of the president with Ben Bruce and the DSS? He likes the attention and he has gotten it. How many bills has he passed and how many times has Ben Bruce criticised what is happening in his community but he finds it convenient to hug the limelight by throwing barbs at the president. When it suits the haters they quote the American Democracy and want us to believe that, that cannot happen over there. At any rate since what he wants is people clapping for him for insulting the president why would he want a handshake from your arch enemy. There is a difference between constructive criticism and opposition from pure and outright mischief which is what Ben Bruce is up to. Everyone has the right to criticise the government and the president but you cross the line when you throw insults and now want to recognised at the same time. you can’t have it both ways. Let Bruce remain a critic of the government and president thats ok. We will respect that and am sure the president does too but don’t pretend you are the friend of the president by wanting to shake him. Among all the senators present how many tried to shake the president? Why does Bruce like to behave like a kid whose toys were taking from him
You need to be serious for once. Your ability to convince ur critic will even create a larger network for u. The surround urself with all fans will limit ur ambition. Why not say mr Ben Bruce, we need to talk. And dont tell us that DSS acted on its own will. They have instructions.
I think he should learn to give a listening hear to all especially those representing us in this government.the dss never acted out of instruction. and we should stop all these unecessary defence for the president is for all nigerians
Thank God , MB is now taking the common sense revolution to its crusaders.