Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said he has no regrets over his comments on foreigners who may want to interfere in the internal electoral affairs of Nigeria and his reference to ‘body bags.’
While featuring an NTA programme yesterday on Tuesday, the Governor had said that foreigners who may be planning to interfere in the 2019 elections will leave in body bags.
The statement has been subject of controversies with the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threatening to pull out of the Peace Accord it signed with other parties to ensure that there was no violence during and after the election.
But speaking through his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, Governor El-Rufai said he said nothing wrong.
He said, “When Malam Nasir El-Rufai appeared on NTA’s Tuesday Night Live, he made comments every patriot can understand. He stood up for Nigeria’s dignity in the wake of those who would traduce their country and reduce it to the status of a colony in their vain quest for power,” the statement read.
“The video of his comments is in circulation. Any fair-minded person with modest familiarity with the English language and unimpaired comprehension can understand it. It does not contain any call for violence. What it is a powerful defence of sovereignty? Are some sections of our political class implying that they will acquiesce in or collaborate with foreign intervention in our country?
“Affirming that a country will defend itself against needless intervention is the kind of statement you expect to hear from a patriot. It is not a call for violence. Warning about the consequences of meddling in another country’s affairs is legitimate,” he said.
”Malam Nasir El-Rufai has issued a powerful call for vigilance and a clear notice that other countries should not mistake the supine posture of the opposition for national weakness.
“El-Rufai has stood firmly against those who have been trying to divide Nigerians on ethnic and religious lines. He is resolutely opposed to violence, and firmly committed to peace and harmony.”