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 told PREMIUM TIMES the journey was packaged to prepare the ground for Mr. Jonathan’s campaign in the troubled Northeast region beginning next week.
The President, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, visited officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, thanking them for their service to the nation and telling them the nation was proud of them and grateful for their dedication and commitment to the defence of the civilian population against terrorists.
But 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment