President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday, February 13, 2015 stated that the threat posed by insurgent group, Boko Haram would be overcome and parts of Adamawa and Yobe States currently under the control of the group will be reclaimed before the dates for the rescheduled election.
He also added as for the case of Borno State, which has had more territories occupied by the sect, at least 70% of the occupied areas will be reclaimed before commencement of the election.
President Jonathan made the pledge at the Presidential Villa, Abuja while hosting members of the diplomatic corps to a cocktail, adding that security forces will ensure elections are held in the troubled regions.
His words: “This period will give them (security forces) the opportunity to clean up the three states. If at all they cannot clean up the three states, at least two states will be recovered completely and more local governments even from the remaining state so that elections could be conducted even in Borno State.
“Even if we don’t take over all the territories in Borno State, definitely in Adamawa and Yobe states we will take over completely and even Borno State, the headquarters of Boko Haram, even if we don’t take over completely at least 70 per cent of that state will be free for elections to be conducted
“This is because democracy can only be meaningful if people are allowed to select who rules them.
“We are already beginning to turn the trend. Let me reassure you very clearly that we will surely win the war against Boko Haram. We are moving faster now, in the next few weeks, the whole world will know that we are totally committed and that we are in a position to save our people.”
