‘Terrorists will not go scot-free’, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that insurgents unleashing mayhem on the northeast will not get away with their crimes, but will be decisively dealt with.

Speaking on Thursday in a New Year’s Day broadcast, Jonathan also vowed to deal decisively with politicians who are bent on causing trouble during and after the 2015 elections.

“Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children.

“They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build. They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.

“I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As president, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.

“We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated.

“That is the solemn commitment I make today as president of the federal republic, and commander-in-chief of our armed forces.”

Recalling the violence that assailed the 2011 elections, Jonathan emphasised that his government would not tolerate any form of violence during and after the 2015 elections.

He urged politicians to shun hate, sectionalism, disunity and intolerance,  instead put the people first in their agenda.

“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children,” he said.

“The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

Jonathan also reassured Nigerians and the international community of his commitment to free, fair and credible elections, adding that Independent Electoral Commission had been isolated from any form of interference.

“All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will,” he said

Speaking on the economy, he assured Nigerians that his government would keep working to reduce poverty and promote job security, adding that the elections would not distract the government from doing its duty to citizens.

“We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers,” he said.

“We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions. We are focused on diversifying the economy. The non-oil sector has grown by eight percent.”

Calling on Nigerians to remain patriotic in the face of daunting challenges, he said: “Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism, to serve our fatherland with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow.

“As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable. We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.”