by Laila Ibrahim

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that elections will hold in all parts of the country, even in the volatile North East.

Stakeholders, analysts and observers in the Nigeria’s political sector have of recent, expressed fears that elections may not hold in the volatile north-east part of the country, that has been under siege of Boko Haram attacks.

The Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram has carried out most of its attacks in the region, taking over towns, some of which were recently reclaimed by the Nigerian military.

But according to Jonathan, in spite of the security challenges in the Northern Eastern parts of the country, election will hold in all states of the federation. Three out of the six states in the north-eastern zone: Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, have been under emergency rule since last year.

The President gave the assurance in Abuja, in the wee hours of Thursday, December 11, while delivering his acceptance speech after being chosen by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2015 election.

Jonathan polled 2,812 votes to get the needed support from the 3,073 party’s delegates at the National Convention held at the Eagles Square in Abuja, on Wednesday, December 10.

President Jonathan said: “With the exception of the civil war, never before in the history of our country have we faced the level of threat we see today. I assure all Nigerians that this Government will continue to do whatever is required to provide the security we deserve.”

“It is encouraging that the security situation is improving, and by the grace of God, elections will be conducted in all states of the federation”.

Furthermore, he urged Nigerians, irrespective of party or belief, to join in the fight against insurgency and terror.

“We must be united. Bickering and quarrels only serve to send the wrong signals to terrorists and insurgents, that we are divided in this fight. More importantly it can also demoralise our dedicated and brave armed forces. This would be wrong. For this reason, we must remain united.”

Jonathan also stated that “there may be a tendency for the escalation of violence in an election year. We must not succumb to blackmail. We must be vigilant – every one of us. Only by united action, can we defeat terrorism”.

Kolapo Olapoju