APC Lawmakers Praise Jonathan On War Against Terrorism
Barely weeks before Nigerians go to the polls to elect who will lead the country for the next four years, some senators on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday at Senate Plenary praised the Federal Government led by President Goodluck Jonathan on the success being recorded by the Nigerian Military to recover areas captured by the Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the North East.
It would be recalled that lawmakers from the opposition parties many of who are on the platform of the APC had been most critical of President Jonathan’s administration for “inability to recover the cities and villages from Boko Haram insurgents in the last couple of months.”
According to Daily Independent report published online, Senator Maina Maji Lawan (Borno North) on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday commended the Nigerian Military and the Multi-national Security Agencies for the huge success they have recorded in the war against insurgency within the last few weeks.
Lawan recalled that he had on several occasions updated the Senate with the gloomy stories of local government areas and communities taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents in the last few months.
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“It is only fair Mr. President that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this Senate,” he said.
Lawan added: “I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated; Mongno which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army has been liberated.
“Baga my home town has been liberated; the effort is ongoing and I think it is only fair that no matter what is left, it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing and we appreciate that effort. We ask them to do more so that in the areas they have liberated, mopping up is concluded for the communities to go back.”
He urged Senators to understand the emotional attachments of those whose personal houses had been taken over to the successes, adding, “We pray that more of these successes will go on; we will continue to co-operate with our troops; we appreciate their effort and we ask that they continue with this particular stride to reclaim all Nigerian territory.”
It was reported that former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Buka Ibrahim, also joined Senator Lawan in lauding the Military for its onslaught against the dreaded insurgents.
He said he was optimistic that with the current efforts by the military the remaining areas under the stronghold of the insurgents would be recovered.
Senator Ibrahim stated that, “I rise to fully support what Senator Maina has said. All the details he has given are correct with the exception of Bama and Gworza. There is not a single local government in the North-East under the Boko Harm Control.
“Gulani and Gujuba have been liberated. So, I am in support and there is need for us to show appreciation for what is happening not only to Nigeria but also Chad and Cameroun; we must also appreciate what they have done."
Also Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), one of the ardent critics of the military on the growing insurgency in the North East, said he was overwhelmed with the success recorded by the Nigerian Military and the Multi-national Forces in the war against insurgency in the country within the last few weeks.
“Honestly, I want to appreciate my colleagues for the concern and the support they have been giving us, particularly those that have been affected,” he stated.
In her contribution, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Chris Anyanwu (APGA-Imo) said it was cheering news for the ardent critics of Jonathan’s government to put their political difference and commend the Federal government in the war against Boko Haram.
“What we have seen this morning is statesmanship and that is the way it should be and I want to say that we are proud of them for having the courage to speak the truth at this time,” she said.
Source: Legit.ng
