Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Boko Haram terrorism has not been defeated.
Obasanjo, in a lengthy statement made available to DAILY POST by his
media team on Sunday, disclosed that Boko Haram is being empowered by
the federal government.
He noted that Boko Haram of today has become stronger hence the increase of security threats in Nigeria.
The statement reads in part: “let me assert that the security
situation has deteriorated with kidnapping everywhere and Boko Haram
more in action and nobody should deceive Nigerians about this. With the
teaming up of Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province
(ISWAP).
“Boko Haram is stronger today militarily than they have ever been.
Boko Haram has also been empowered by the Nigerian government through
payment of ransom of millions of dollars which each administration
disingenuously always denies. With ISIS being liquidated in Iraq and
Syria, Africa is now their port of concentration. Soon, they may take
over Libya which, with substantial resources, is almost a totally failed
state. When that happens, all African countries North of Congo River
will be unsafe with serious security problems. The struggle must be for
all West African, Central African, North African and most East African
States. Nigeria has to play a vanguard role in this struggle as we have
much to lose. This administration has reached the end of its wit even in
handling all security issues, but particularly Boko Haram issue, partly
due to misuse of security apparatus and poor equipment, deployment,
coordination and cooperation.
“Finally, those Nigerians that are being intimidated or threatened by
this Administration must trust in God and stand firm. Tough times do
not last forever, but tough people invariably survive tough times. This
is a tough time for almost all Nigerians in different respects, but the
people’s will shall triumph. All people who have registered to vote with
their PVCs must never allow anybody or anything to deny or deprive them
of the right of performing their fundamental civic duty of voting and
sustaining democracy.
“Establishment of democracy and its sustenance is second to
attainment of independence in our political life, leaving out the
victory of the civil war. We shall overcome.”