The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its weight behind the position of President Goodluck Jonathan that the military Joint Task Force (JTF) would only be withdrawn from Borno if the elders of the state commit to an inviolable undertaking that makes them responsible for further killings and destruction by the Boko Haram sect.
The party, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said the position of the President clearly shows his forthrightness and great concern for the safety of Nigerians including those living in Borno and other troubled spots in the country.
The statement added that President Jonathan and the PDP fully understand and deeply share in the worries of Borno elders on the imperative of cessation of violence and restoration of peace in order to enable social and economic activities.
It further commended the President for his well thought-out humane approach in handling the situation, thumbing up for the successes recorded so far by security agencies.” We commend the President for his humane approach and for his unrelenting commitment to the improved welfare of Nigerians”, the statement said.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fully aligns with the challenge of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Bornu elders on their responsibility vis a vis the withdrawal of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) .”
“The position of the President shows his forthrightness and intense fatherly concern for the safety of all Nigerians living in Borno state and other troubled spots in the country. This is a direct challenge to all of us, especially those from the troubled areas to rise to the occasion and re-engage dispassionate avuncular responsibilities in genuine search for peace.”
“Our great Party understands and deeply shares in the worries of the Borno elders over the protracted insurgency in the region and its grave implications for social and economic activities. However, we deem it nm it necessary that the elders accept this challenge and reflect in-depth on their preeminent position as a cardinal portal of peace as connoted in the assertion by the President.
“The party also commended the President for the heart to heart discussion with elders of Bornu and Yobe State and for sparing time to visit some orphanages saying such was an indication of his concern for vulnerable Nigerians.
“The President was not in Bornu and Yobe for photo-ops and showmanship as did the Governors of the opposition APC who cooed in the streets of Maiduguri and boasted in the media to invite attention to themselves. The President was on a genuine mission for peace and development.”
The Party further said it strongly believes that the efforts of the Jonathan administration will succeed in checking the security challenges as witnessed by the successes already recorded by the security agencies and further appealed to those behind the violent attacks in the country to have a rethink. “Life is sacrosanct and nobody has the right to shed innocent blood under any guise.”