Some concerned Northern youths are calling on all Nigerians and election observers to remain steadfast, and not to bow to intimidation and play into the hands of people like Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, who is allegedly plotting to throw the state and the country into another round of bloodletting.
‘’We shall triumph over the forces of darkness’’, the youths said.
The youths who spoke on the platform of Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations, also strongly condemned the unguarded outburst and threat to the international community by the governor.
Governor el-Rufai had during NTA Tuesday Live, a programme of the national television, warned foreign observers that if they interfere in the country’s general elections beginning on Saturday week, they will return to their various countries in body bags.
Reacting to the outburst which has been receiving wide condemnations, the northern youths in a statement by the group’s Chairman, Murtala Abubakar, said that what was surprising was the extension of threat outside the shores of Kaduna and Nigeria, to target of the international community who are interested in fair, transparent, credible and peaceful elections in the country.
According to Abubakar, ‘’this is not new. But as northern youths, we have resolved not to be drawn into any act that will lead to loss of lives and property in Kaduna State, the region or the nation as a whole. For the record, Governor el-Rufai is no stranger to such inflammatory statement meant to stock ember of discord and results in violence. We have seen through his veiled calls to violence.
‘’el-Rufai is known to have called the opposition in Kaduna termites and ants and should be crushed. He has asked those who asked questions on his style of scotch earth leadership to climb Kufena Hill and jump to their death.
‘’The most recent and bizzare was his allusion to a religious icon; the celebrated and revered Catholic leader, The Pope. That statement was meant to infuriate the Catholics and Christians to cause religious conflict. But we thank the Christian community for their restrain and the show of maturity by not playing into the hands of the governor.
‘’Just this week, three young boys were gunned down in cold blood at Unguwan Muazu within Kaduna metropolis right under the watch of Governor el-Rufai in his campaign train. Despite the security agents in the governor’s motorcade, no one has been arrested nor did he visit to condole with the families of the murdered boys.
‘’We use this opportunity to call on the security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property before, during and after the forthcoming elections. We also urge the International and the Election Observers not to bow to threats such as the one coming from Governor el-Rufai.
‘’In the face of this, we call on all to remain steadfast, not to bow to intimidation, not to play into the hands of people like el-Rufai whose plan is to throw the state and the nation into another round of bloodletting. We shall triumph.’’
