A team of European Union election observers on Wednesday reacted to a statement by Governor Nasir El-Rufai that Nigerian forces would kill any foreign soldiers who intervene in Nigeria’s elections.

The EU team said the threat would not deter it from observing the general elections set to hold on February 16 and March 2.

The team, however, said it would continue to review its security arrangements before, during and after the elections.

“We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February.

“The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country. The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for the 2019 general elections.

“EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis, and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.

“While the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to – and beyond – the 16 February elections.

“For the last month the mission’s team in Abuja, as well as 40 long-term observers across the country, have followed the elections. We have met with a wide range of candidates, parties, election officials, security agencies, and civil society organisations, and have enjoyed good cooperation at federal and state levels.

“The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary,” the statement by the team’s Sarah Fradgley read in full.

Mr El-Rufai’s controversial comments were made during an appearance on Nigerian Television Authority Tuesday night.

“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 said.

The governor argued that Nigeria’s sovereignty was sacrosanct and the country also respects other nation’s sovereignty. He said Nigeria only intervened militarily in other countries (Liberia and Sierra Leone) when it had international mandate to do so. In another statement on Wednesday, Mr El-Rufai tried to clarify his statement saying he was only trying to vigorously defend Nigeria’s territory and did not call for violence against foreign countries.

The governor’s statement has been criticised by many Nigerians, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party mentioned it as a reason for threatening to pull out of a peace accord.

Last month, presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu said Nigeria would raise its forces against any military intervention. Mr Shehu stated this after the United States, United Kingdom and the EU criticised the unconstitutional suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/310785-just-in-european-union-monitors-react-to-el-rufais-statement-on-foreign-intervention.html

I Personally Request That the Muderous Words of Mallam Elrufai should not be taken for Grant...

It's not the First Time Elrufai is Making such killer Threats ...

Mallam Elrufai is a Huge Threat to The Elections in Nigeria...

Mallam Elrufai is A Huge Threat to Peace in Nigeria and West Africa...

I Request that Mallam Elrufai be Appropriately Dealt with.. By so doing he will be forced to Expose his Fellows!

I heard Mr Syracuse has gone into hiding

The midgets comments should not be taken for granted. Hell rufai promised the middle belt war, in support of his Fulani terrorist during Jonathan’s Government, blood or repayable loan as he called it was dolled out with reckless abandon.

El rufai is the dullards protege. Bloody Jihadist!

PIG BUHARIdementia IS A DEMENTED, OLD DOTARD AND APC SUPPORTERS ARE MENTALLY DERANGED PIGS AND IDIOTIC DUNDERHEAD.Pastor Osinbajo was supposed to be the Esther or Shedrac, Mishak and Abedniggo or David of Nigerian Christians.
Unfortunately Pastor Osinbajo is VP for himself and family alone; even RCCG cannot point at any tangible benefit of having Osinbajo as a Member and Provincial Pastor as VP.
When Osinbajo was sworn in as VP, he was asked whether he preferred to be addressed as "Pastor" or "professor" he said he preferred to be addressed as "Professor", at the expense of his ordination as a Provincial Pastor.
Today, his campaign posters address him as "Pastor Osinbajo" and not "Professor Osinbajo"Ameachi sold River state Power plants for $350million and looted the money. most of the money were used to fund Buhari election
Akpabio stole more than any South south governor ever, he is now dining with Buhari
Tinubu has annexed Lagos and a greater chunk of South west states to his private estate, he is the henchman of Buhari
Osibanjo his deputy is jumping from one state to the others buying votes in the name of trader moni, while yet to answer how he spent #5.8billion IDP funds
Fashola has not yet explained to us where the #1.5billion house he built is located
Abba kyari and Baru approved over 24 billion USD oil service and lifting contracts without approval
Ganduje was caught on camera receiving bribe in USD$, Buhari says he does not know the technology used to make the video and goes ahead to present him to Kano people as a saint
Adams Oshomole was petitioned for stealing Billions of Edo State patrimony, EFCC has since lost the file under Buhari's watch

Little Mr. Body bags should watch his back. He just crossed the red line.

Good. Election observers are welcome.... Nigeria is not a colony and as such, no foreign intervention is welcome in our elections. If any foreign body wants to observe, pls feel free..... And I can assure u of a free and credible election. Anything beyond normal election observation is not welcome

Hell Rufai comments which he is trying to dilute was very clear. Key words there was 'body bags ' simply meaning dead body. It's purely a call for violence especially if APC looses. It's a call to intimidate d foreign emissaries and for them not to do or say 'kpim' if d election is being hijacked in favour of d govt in power.

J

The blood thirsty and killer fulani governor thinks he is addressing zombies or threatening the hapless Southern Kaduna people that he have allowed his barbaric brother to senselessly kill using the instrumentalist of the state while wickedly compensating them.

Eheh

El Rufai just scored an own goal in the dying minute.

From the abundance of the heart, the mind speaketh

watch as yeloba muslims will rush to defend him

Right now, you're looking at your nose, but your brain chooses to ignore it.

Two days ago I prayed for the midget to be disgraced and it's already happening

Even Saddam Hussein and Ghaddafi at their saddest never threatened to send any foriegn observer home in body bags .. only low life warlords make such threats

Good EU is unfazed...El-rufai and his murderous APC goons are the ones who will end up in body bags..

I just pray you ingrates try rubbish.

Ziggylady:

Good EU is unfazed...El-rufai and his murderous APC goons are the ones who will end up in body bags..

I just pray you ingrates try rubbish.

Amen

LibertyRep:
El Rufai just scored an own goal in the dying minute.

From the abundance of the heart, the mind speaketh

What is this ignorant APC thing talking about?

In the nearest future our sophisticated brothers from the west will join Retrogressive forces to elect this terrorist president of Nigeria.

If this will bring an end to the zoo called nigeria,then it is a welcome development.

El-Rufai is as criminal an element as the killers and murderers destroying lives in Kaduna state. The man lacks humanity yet wants to lead Nigeria some day. God forbid!

El-rufai just shot himself in his dwarfy foot.

He has been spilling blood in Kaduna State since he became Governor but his water-loo is round the corner.

But that was a really careless talk

What More should we expect from a MALLAM?

El rufai is as foolish as buhari and he will meet his doom soon

Dear El-rufai,
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Prov.10:19
...and the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something foolish...Eccl. 5:3.

Thank you

This midget hand dey inside plenty of the blood shed in northern Nigeria. If shedding of people blood is okay, may that be the portion of you and your generations. May body bags be a constant part of your luggage.

Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi treatment is waiting for him and Buhari ! Let them try noonsance
..