Monday 23 February 2015

I Underestimated Boko Haram – Jonathan Confesses

President Goodluck Jonathan has opened up that he underestimated Boko Haram Islamists who have overrun swathes of the country’s northeast states.

Jonathan, facing a tight re-election bid against Muhammadu Buhari and his party APC, has faced criticism over the vote delay, which critics argue was designed to give him time to shore up his campaign.

The Presidency pushed through the military for a six-week delay was granted by INEC to allow it secure the country for the election, though Boko Haram’s insurgency has raged for six years.
Presidential and parliamentary elections are now set for March 28.

“Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram,” Jonathan said in an interview with ThisDay.

He said that the military has recently acquired more arms and ammunition to do battle with the Islamists, and had vowed that Boko Haram suppression and the capture of the group’s leader were near.

“God willing, we will catch (Abubakar) Shekau before the elections,” Jonathan said.

Asked why six more weeks would make a difference in the years-long conflict that has killed more than 13,000 people, Jonathan said the military could make reasonable progress in that time.

“We are not saying we must finish Boko Haram to conduct elections, but we should get to a point where they will not cause havoc if they make an attempt,” he said in the interview.

“My belief is that by 28th of next month, when the elections will be conducted, Boko Haram may not even be in a position to attack any town.”

Over one million people have been left homeless since 2009 that Boko Haram is been in operation.

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