The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has said those seeking international bodies and foreign powers to meddle in the internal affairs of Nigeria are unpatriotic Nigerians.
He added that no responsible citizen, least of all those who are the foremost beneficiaries on the commonwealth, would encourage foreign powers to interfere in the internal affairs of their nation, regardless of its adversities.
Masari, in an Eid-el-Kabir message signed by his Director General, Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, Monday noted that as a sovereign nation, Nigeria deserves the respect of foreign nations whatever their status on the global stage may be.
According to the statement, the governor spoke against the backdrop of recent calls by prominent Nigerians, on international bodies and foreign powers to forcefully interfere in the nation’s internal affairs vis-à-vis the security situation in the country.
Instead of clamouring for such interference, the governor said the Nigerian elite should be more supportive of the federal government by avoiding unpatriotic conduct that may cast the country in bad light.
Masari, in the statement, said: “For any compatriot to wilfully call on foreign powers to meddle in the internal affairs of Nigeria, is to display the highest level of unpatriotism.
“No responsible citizen, least of all those who are the foremost beneficiaries of the commonwealth, would encourage foreign powers to interfere in the internal affairs of their nation, regardless of its adversities.”
Consequently, he called on the Nigerian elite “to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in those foreign powers and guard Nigeria’s sovereignty jealously”.
According to him, “In those climes, the leading citizens partner with the government to protect and advance national interest. They do not go to the market place to expose the perceived inadequacy of their leaders.”
He added that what the nation’s leadership requires in these trying times, is support by way of concrete advice in private, not going public with unsubstantiated accusations which he said defy reason and logic.
For those wrapping the insecurity situation in the country in religious and ethnic cloak, the governor noted that: “Adversities do not respect any boundaries, be they religious, ethnic or regional.
“The insecurity buffeting the country is not limited to one section of the country, or affecting only one ethnic group or the adherents of only one religion. It doesn’t spare even social status.”
While calling for more commitments and prayers from Nigerians for the continued survival of the nation as one corporate entity, he urged Muslims to look beyond the merriments and focus on the lesson of the Eid-el-Kabir, which is sacrifice in obedience to the command of the Creator.