Contrary to claims by the Presidency that President Goodluck Jonathan made a surprise visit to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Thursday out of genuine concern to identify with troops and displaced people, insiders in the president’s campaign have exposed the journey as one that was packaged to prepare the grounds for Jonathan’s campaign in the Northeast region beginning next week.
An insider source said: “The president was advised to try and make at least one non-political visit to the region to shut up critics. Everyone agreed that taking campaigns to the zone without this kind of initial visit might expose the President to ridicule. That’s essentially why he visited today, and I’m telling you this authoritatively.”
Those familiar with Mr Jonathan’s political strategies as he campaigns for re-election said the President was talked into the trip by his political advisers and officials of his campaign council as a way of neutralising criticism over his refusal to visit the region despite an upsurge in attacks by Boko Haram militants who have massacred civilians and security officials.
The president’s party, PDP, had recently announced that Jonathan would visit the troubled zone to canvass votes despite failing to visit the towns where the insurgents have murder and abduct hundreds.
Premium Times source, who asked not to be named so as not to be accused of sabotaging the President’s campaign, said Jonathan became concerned after widespread criticism trailed the announcement that he would be campaigning in the region.
Jonathan has scheduled campaign for Bauchi on January 22, and Borno (Maiduguri) on January 24.
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