People Misconstrued My Statement On NTA — Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

The Governor of Kaduna state Malam Nasir El-Rufai has said that
people misconstrued the statement he made on Tuesday while granting
Live interview to NTA.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor
on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, on Wednesday, 6th February
2019 the comment by the Governor is not such that will instigate
war but is was made in defense of the country.

“A notorious trait of the characters that constitute the
opposition in Nigeria is the manufacture of outrage on flimsy
grounds. However, contriving anger on false premises and summoning
a din of feverish commentary will not alter the facts. Election
season is regarded as silly season in some quarters, but it is a
very serious moment.

“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 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 defense 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.

“Non-interference in the affairs of other countries is a basic
principle of international law. 

“Threatening  to intervene  in another country implies
the use of force. Those who are basing their electoral calculations
on foreign intervention need to be discouraged. 

“Only the lawful votes of the Nigerian people should make or
unmake governments.

“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.

“Malam Nasir 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.

“Let the false outrage stop.”