Body Bags: Buhari Dissociates FG From El-Rufai’s Statement On Foreigners

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Elections: Buhari dissociates Nigerian govt from El-Rufai’s statement on foreign intervention

President
Muhammadu Buhari has disassociated the federal government from the
comment made by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai that
Nigerian forces will kill foreign soldiers who intervene militarily in
the country’s election matters.

Mr Buhari, in a live broadcast to
the nation on Thursday evening, assured members of the diplomatic
community and foreign election observers of their safety and protection.

“I
want to assure all Nigerians, the diplomatic community and all foreign
election observers of their safety and full protection.

“Any
comments or threats of intimidation from any source do not represent the
position of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the president said.

Although
the president did not mention Mr El-Rufai by name, the Kaduna
governor’s statement had been criticised by many Nigerians and the
opposition.

“Those that are calling for anyone to come and
intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and
intervene, they would go back in body bags,” Mr El-Rufai had said.

The
governor’s explanation that his call was not in any way a call for
violence did not deter critics from condemning it. European Union
observers reacted to the statement by saying they were in the country to
observe the elections at the request of the electoral commission, INEC.
The presidency had also earlier defended the Kaduna governor, saying it
was satisfied with his explanation.

The February 16 presidential
election is expected to be hotly contested, and there are fears of
violence and election fraud, with the opposition repeatedly accusing the
ruling party of plotting to rig the polls.

On Wednesday, the
national chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole, also accused
the INEC of working for the main opposition party, PDP.

Mr Buhari
has repeatedly committed to a free and fair poll and the presidency has
warned against any attempt by other nations to meddle in the country’s
internal affairs.

In his Thursday broadcast to the nation, the
president once again assured Nigerians that the government would ensure
the elections “take place in a secured and peaceful atmosphere”.

“It
was indeed such free, fair and peaceful elections that made it possible
for our government to emerge, despite the fact that we were contesting
against a long-standing incumbent party.

“ And as your president
and a fellow Nigerian, I ask that you come out and queue to fulfil this
important obligation you have to yourselves and your fellow citizens –
and to our common future,” Mr Buhari said.

The president appealed to Nigerians, especially the youth, not to take to violence during the elections.

“I
urge you all as good Nigerians to take up personal interest in
promoting and maintaining peace in your respective neighbourhood during
the elections.

“This is not a time to allow personal, religious, sectional or party interest to drive us to desperation,” he said.

Source:- Premiumtimesng

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