by Ranti Joseph

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised that he would do all within his powers to ensure that all parts of the country still under the control of terrorists and insurgents are totally liberated before May 29.

In a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, Jonathan stated this while receiving a delegation of Heads of Customs from the West and Central African Region of the World Customs Organisation, led by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Kunio Mikuriya at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Jonathan told his guests that he was determined to hand over a country completely free of terrorist strongholds to the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

He was further said the on-going military operations in the North-East had already recorded huge successes, with two states completely free from the control of terrorists, while operations in the third state had reached a concluding stage.

“We can now say two states are completely free from terrorist control, while in the third state, it is only in one Local Government Area that they are still present. That is in the Sambisa Forest,” he said.

Jonathan also noted that the military had already moved into the forest to seize the remaining camps of the terrorists. He added that the recent rescue of about 300 abducted girls and women was further evidence of the success being achieved in the on-going operation.

“Our elections should be about where Nigeria is going. If Nigeria is moving forward, it is for the good of all Nigerians. My children and grandchildren will live and grow in this country and contribute to it.

“I always tell my colleagues to leave office when their time is up. We are trying to encourage African leaders not to remain in power as kings until death,’’ he said.