I Was Misrepresented By The Media On ‘Fall And Die’ Comment – El-Rufai

Nasir el-RufaiGovernor Nasir El-Rufai has denied a statement credited to him that he told critics of his political appointments in Kaduna State to climb the popular Kufena Hills, throw themselves from its top and die.

Gov. El-Rufai was reported to have made the comment while answering questions at the 4th town hall meeting in Kaduna Central at the weekend.

Following a backlash from majority of Nigerians in response to the harsh comment, the governor on Tuesday said he was misrepresented.

El-Rufai said in a statement through his media assistant, Samuel Aruwan, that he did not ask anyone to die over appointments, adding that he was only being emphatic about the need for frank talk when he said those not comfortable with the truth could climb the Kufena Hills  and jump.

The statement quoted the exact words by Gov. El-Rufai at the town hall meeting thus: “All of us in the Kaduna State government have sworn with the Quran; Christians with the holy bible, to do justice and we will do justice. We better stand and tell ourselves the truth. Everyone knows the truth. No matter the noise, the truth is constant. And as I stand here, no matter who you are, I will face you and tell you the truth. If you don’t want to hear the truth, you can climb Kufena Hills and jump”.

Gov. El-Rufai said the word “die”, was a fabrication dressed as a direct quote due to the fact that his comments were translated from Hausa.