Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC) governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has come out to tell Nigerians to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan in light of the ongoing war against terror, saying it was not advisable to change the Commander-in-Chief in the middle of war.
Ribadu, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police made the above assertion when he visited Mubi, a recently liberated town in Adamawa State on Saturday, February 28, 2015.
He said: “You don’t change a commander-in-Chief in time of war. Political stability is key to peace and security, more so at a time of instability like what we are witnessing today. We cannot afford to disrupt this operation midstream. This tide should be allowed to continue.”
Pouring cold water on the criticism of President Jonathan’s tactics in responding to the Boko Haram insurgents, Ribadu said: “The President never wanted to have large number of collateral damage. He is a careful leader who quietly took this very measured strategy without grandstanding. Today, we see the result of this matured way of handling this difficult war, which has pushed out the terrorist with minimal civilian casualty.
“The President took his time to build this strong coalition of bringing together our neighbouring countries. The result is for everyone to see. We have seen that the table is now turned against the terrorists, and they are on the run.”
“Now, it is about consolidation of this success, on how to restore life in these affected communities and bring about stability. The President has already established the Victims Support Fund and he has a marshal plan on how to consolidate on this military successes.
“I have worked in many crisis zones, including Afghanistan, I know what insurgency is all about. It is unfortunate that at a time the country should unite for action against the insurgents we were busy apportioning blame. That is why I refrained from any comment about this all this while.
“No country has succeeded in eliminating terrorism altogether and within a short time. The victory may not be total and immediate. It is a gradual process.”
Ribadu further appreciated the efforts of Nigerian security forces and allied forces of other nations for the recent victories recorded over the Boko Haram insurgents.
He said: “The military and our gallant members of the vigilante who sacrificed a lot and even lost their lives, I am proud to associate myself with you.
“Our security agencies are doing extremely great work and we should unite in applauding them. They have operated in the most difficult situations but they are winning even though the world refused to help us.”
He went on to condemn the attempt by certain individuals to politicise the issue of insurgency, saying it was not in the general interest of the country.
He said: “It is sad that politics is brought into this issue of insurgency. Those making such comments do not know that they are hurting us, we that are living in the epicenter of this insurgency. Our people have suffered for too long, those hauling words from their comfort zones should please shut up and give us chance to confront what directly affects us.
“President Goodluck Jonathan is a very compassionate and kind-hearted person but it is being misunderstood to mean something else. But to me, it is an attribute of a good leader. We have seen the President demonstrating compassion in a number of ways. Our lives have been turned upside down here. He has visited us, he has assured us of his commitment to restore back our lives. And I believe he will live up to those promises.”
