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updated 10:20 AM UTC, Dec 13, 2023

El-Rufai Vows Govt. To Kill Foreigners Intervening In Nigeria Elections: “They Will Go Back In Body Bags.”

Unic Press UK: The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened the international community with regard to the Nigeria General Election 2019, say that foreigners intervening in Nigeria General Election will go back in a body bag.

“For anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags. Because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country. We have got our independence and we are trying to run our country as decently as possible and we know the history of those countries that are trying to teach us these things. We have read there history…,” Governor El Rufai said when he appeared live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)

He [El Rufai) seems to be reacting to the recent statements from the United States (U.S), the United Kingdom (U.K) and the European Union (EU), in which serious concerns were raised by the three following widespread Nigerian criticism/denunciation of the Nigerian government decision [suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria) and the other actions that are a threat to a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful election. 

BELOW ARE THE EXCERPTS OF THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE U.S., THE U.K, AND THE EU BEFORE EL-RUFAI’S THREAT TO KILL

26 January 2019. U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria“The Embassy of the United States is deeply concerned by the impact of the executive branch’s decision to suspend and replace the Chief Justice and head of the judicial branch without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections. We note widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch. That undercuts the stated determination of government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful – leading to a credible result.” 

26 January 2019. European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria (EU EOM) 2019 public outreach officer, Sarah Fradgley: “The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is very concerned about the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, on 25 January. With 20 days until the presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties, candidates and voters must be able to have confidence in the impartiality and independence of the judicial system. The decision to suspend the Chief Justice has led to many Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society observer groups, to question whether due process was followed. The timing, just before the swearing in of justices for Electoral Tribunals and the hearing of election-related cases, has also raised concerns about the opportunity for electoral justice.”

26 January 2019. The British High Commission: “The British High Commission expresses serious concern over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. We have heard a wide range of credible and independent voices, including in the Nigerian legal profession and civil society, who have expressed concern over the constitutionality of the executive branch’s suspension of the chief officer of the judiciary. We respect Nigeria’s sovereign authority and its right to adjudicate on constitutional provisions but as friends of the Nigerian people, we are compelled to observe that the timing of this action, so close to national elections, gives cause for concern. It risks affecting both domestic and international perceptions on the credibility of the forthcoming elections. We, along with other members of the international community, are following developments closely. We encourage all actors to maintain calm and address the concerns raised by this development through due process, demonstrating their commitment to respecting the constitution and the impartial administration of the rule of law. We further urge them to take steps to ensure that elections take place in an environment conducive to a free, fair and peaceful process.”

REACTIONS 

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to withdraw from the Peace Accord, which is signed along with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and several other political parties, pledging a peaceful election.

 

 

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