Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Friday met with observers from the International Republican Institute, United States of America, ahead of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections and assured them of adequate security during and after the polls.
El-Rufai whose recent warning to foreign observers against interfering in the elections sparked controversy told his guests to “feel free while moving in the state.”
Speaking to reporters yesterday at the end of the meeting at Government House, Kaduna,the governor said: ” We invited them to feel free and if they need additional security,we will provide for them. We told the foreign observers to feel free while moving in the state.
“They asked me about my comment on the NTA live programme, the security situation in the state and I explained to them.
“The last security review we did was on Friday with all security agencies. All the paramilitary like the Immigration Service, Prisons, Civil Defence and the Nigeria Customs, will all go out to provide security. The security agencies are ready for the task to assist the police.
“As you observed we have a history of violence during elections in Kaduna State. We have made it very clear that vigilance groups will not be allowed to provide security tomorrow.
“I call on all voters to come out and vote.We are confident that everything will go well. No one should be involved in taking another person’s life. So we are confident that the elections will go smoothly.“
