Body bag comment: Presidency backs El-Rufai, says ‘he spoke in defense of national interest’

Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, says the body bag comment made by Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rifai, was made in defense of our national interest and not in anyway borne out of the desire to attack or kill foreign representatives.

Governor El-Rufai had threatened that foreign powers planning to interfere in Nigeria’s elections will “leave Nigeria in body bags.”

“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.” the governor said

Reacting to the controversial comment, Garba Shehu said there is nothing to fret about over the comment as it was made in Nigeria's interest.

“We have taken note of the clarification to a reported earlier statement by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufa’i concerning opposition call for foreign interference in our domestic affairs and to say that latest statement by him should rest the issue for good. There is nothing more to sneeze at.
” The Governor spoke strongly in defense of national interest. It is clear that El-Rufa’i, our party the APC and all its candidates have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections. They are all of the view that there is no place for violence against local people or foreign citizens in our midst.
“Opposition PDP ought to own up to the mistakes of their own policies for 16 years which have led the country to a sorry pass that has cost lives, jobs and growth instead of dwelling on diversionary issues.” he said