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<\/p>\nThe Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday warned that those who intervene in the forthcoming general elections will \u201cgo back in body bags\u201d.<\/p>\n
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governor made the threat when he featured on NTA\u2019s Tuesday Live programme anchored by Cyril Stober.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose 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,\u201d the governor said.<\/p>\n
He noted that Nigeria had intervened militarily in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s on the resolution of international community and as a gesture of \u201cneighbourliness\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are trying to run our country as decently as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
El-Rufai\u2019s statement came after the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union warned the Nigerian government of interfering in the election.<\/p>\n
Their reaction followed the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Last week, the Buhari led government cautioned representatives of foreign countries and organisations resident in the country against interfering in Nigeria\u2019s internal affairs.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr George Edokpa, condemned the position of the U.S Embassy, UK High Commission and European Union Election Observer Mission, regarding the suspension of Onnoghen.<\/p>\n
According to the ministry, the action demonstrated serious and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe various statements, especially of those referred to above, appear prejudicial and signify alignment with the opposition and endorsement of its position that the ruling party and, by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria, is working on rigging the forthcoming elections in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese statements also portend tolerance for corrupt acts and downplay the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari Administration, knowing fully that the suspended CJN had not denied the charges against him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, probity requires of him to step aside while the case is under scrutiny,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n
According to the Ministry, it is pertinent to underscore the unfortunate fact that statements, as referred above, are inimical to the well-being and development of Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven their nuisance value of promoting sectional and religious divide in the country, anarchy and retrogression.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, more than any other time, Nigerians and true friends of Nigeria should be working toward repositioning Nigeria to realise her potential and sustainably provide the leadership expected of her,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n
The ministry noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had consistently demonstrated respect for the rule of law as a presidential candidate and as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and would engage in nothing to the contrary.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe remains a man of integrity, who has severally pledged free and fair elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is therefore absurd to presume that the suspension of the CJN is geared towards rigging the forthcoming elections in favour of the ruling party.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the avoidance of doubt, be it known that on three occasions that Mr. President went to court, as a presidential candidate and lost his case, in 2013, 2011 and 2007.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe presiding judges at the Supreme Court were all northerners and Muslims: Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, Idris Lebo Kutigi and Dahiru Mustapha respectively,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n
It noted that in one instance, the presiding judge at the Appeal Court was from Katsina State and the President\u2019s former classmate, yet, he lost the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe minority judgments in his favour were given by two judges, both of them southerners and Christians: Justices George Adesola Oguntade and Sylvanus Nsofor.<\/p>\n
\u201cResident Embassies and International Organisations invited to observe the forthcoming elections should be wary of being drawn into the camp of the opposition.<\/p>\n
\u201cOtherwise their neutrality, which is the hallmark of election observers becomes questionable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is indeed unfortunate that foreign missions would align with the opposition and seek to negatively interpret actions by the Federal Government, no matter their positive basis and intention,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
The ministry noted that had the Federal Government been high-handed, would the opposition have been able to express its views, even to the point of pouring invectives on Mr. President?<\/p>\n
\u201cHow best can the corruption in the judiciary, which has enormously undermined the rights of the common man and made justice available only to the highest bidder, be best tackled than by ensuring that known cases are fundamentally tackled?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is the rule of law, if justice is applied selectively?<\/p>\n
\u201cPertinent questions that the opposition and their sympathisers must reflect upon are: How has the action of Mr. President undermined the resolve for free and fair election?<\/p>\n
\u201cIn what ways does it undermine the independence of the Judiciary, except in the minds of the opposition and its cohorts?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat right has a representative of a foreign government to incense an already volatile situation on the grounds that her Government has invested heavily in the elections?,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n
According to the ministry, it is insulting for any foreign representative to claim the right to interference in Nigeria\u2019s internal affairs, based on the premise that its government has invested heavily in the election.<\/p>\n
The ministry said that Nigeria had invested enormously, over the years, in election processes of many African countries, and will continue to do so without interfering in their internal affairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cInterference in Nigeria\u2019s internal affairs under any guise will therefore not be accepted.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepresentatives of foreign Governments and organisations are therefore advised to tread with caution and desist from using the utterances and actions of opposition organisations and individuals as a vehicle to interfere in Nigeria\u2019s internal affairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmbassies and organisations accredited to Nigeria should desist from actions and utterances that can only create political, sectional and religious crises and divides,\u201d the ministry warned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday warned that those who intervene in the forthcoming general elections will \u201cgo back in body bags\u201d. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governor made the threat when he featured on NTA\u2019s Tuesday Live programme anchored by Cyril Stober. \u201cThose that are calling for anyone to come and intervene […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":2812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,29,28,14],"tags":[326,38,173,158],"class_list":["post-4001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-homepage-english","category-policy","tag-el-rufai","tag-election","tag-parties","tag-presidency"],"yoast_head":"\n