The \u00a0suggestion that the Federal \u00a0Government is carrying out any scheme to annihilate any section of the country for political gain is preposterous, contrary to common sense, divisive and essentially a deliberate attempt to disseminate \u201chate mentality\u201d and cause mischief, the Presidency has said.<\/p>\n
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The Presidency also described the ultimatum given by the Northern Elders Forum on insurgency as an unnecessary distraction.<\/p>\n
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These were contained in a statement in Abuja \u00a0on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe.<\/p>\n
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Below is the full text<\/p>\n
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We read with deep concern the statement published in the Media today by the Northern Elders Forum giving President Goodluck Jonathan a two\u00a0ultimatum on the Boko Haram Insurgency and the Chibok Girls abduction Saga.<\/p>\n
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We wish to state categorically that President Jonathan does not require any threat or ultimatum from any group of persons to be alive to his responsibilities to the Nigerian People.<\/p>\n
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The issue of Insurgency especially those ideologically based on Islamic extremism is a global phenomenon and requires tact, military capability, serious de-radicalisation techniques and community based counter insurgency programmes to ensure success.<\/p>\n
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In these areas, the Federal Government is making progress:-<\/p>\n
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a)\u00a0\u00a0 We are improving on our operational capabilities and efficiencies by acquiring more advanced weapons and technologies for our military and security agencies.<\/p>\n
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b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We have drafted more military personnel to the region to strengthen the fighting power of our armed forces.<\/p>\n
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c)\u00a0\u00a0 We are taking advantage of the offers from our international military and intelligence allies to assist in identifying key locations.<\/p>\n
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d)\u00a0\u00a0 We are working with our neighbours to secure the borders and limit the movements of the Boko Haram fighters, building on the agreements reached at the recent summits in Paris and London.<\/p>\n
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e)\u00a0\u00a0 We are deploying more resources to maximize operational efficiency, acquire more advanced and relevant weaponry and boost the general morale of our combatants. This is why the Government recently requested for an additional funding of $1bn.<\/p>\n
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f)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And the last piece in the puzzle is targeting the domestic and international funding, and stopping the money flows into the coffers of the terrorists.<\/p>\n
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g)\u00a0\u00a0 With all these efforts and the support of our allies, these steps will help fight the threat of the Boko haram and move us closer to bringing the girls back safely.<\/p>\n
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Lastly, the suggestion that the Government is carrying out any scheme to annihilate any section of the country for political gain is preposterous, contrary to common sense, divisive and essentially a deliberate attempt to disseminate \u201chate mentality\u201d and cause mischief.<\/p>\n
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President Goodluck Jonathan was voted for by an overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the board, and he will never promote any policy that is either divisive or inimical to the wellbeing of any section of the polity.<\/p>\n
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What the country needs today is total co-operation, of all its citizens and stakeholders, with the Government and our military and the security agencies.<\/p>\n
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We wish to assure Nigerians that in spite of this and many more distractions, the President is focused on continued successful executions of his transformation Agenda; and the guarantee of the security of lives and properties of the Nigerian people.<\/p>\n
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SIGNED<\/p>\n
Dr. Doyin Okupe<\/strong><\/p>\n Senior Special Assistant to the president (Public Affairs)<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The \u00a0suggestion that the Federal \u00a0Government is carrying out any scheme to annihilate any section of the country for political gain is preposterous, contrary to common sense, divisive and essentially…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20612,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n