Prominent northern politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has advised the North to stop using the menace of Boko Haram as a threat to prevent the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan saying the clamour for a president of northern extraction in 2015 is not a ‘do or die’ affair.
Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna, Yakasai said the insurgency ravaging parts of the North preceded the current administration and wondered why some persons are saying it will only stop if President Jonathan drops his perceived interest in the 2015 race.
“Boko Haram started before Jonathan. Their leader was killed during the reign of Late Umaru Yar’adua. So, how can people attribute that situation with what is happening today,” he asked.
Drumming up support for President Jonathan’s administration in the face of current challenges, the elder statesman said: “I started the clamour for North to produce the president, but it is not a matter of life and death. Jonathan is a Nigerian; he contested the 2011 election and won. And now he is two years plus, nothing happen (sic) to Nigeria. He can finish his two terms and nothing will happen to the country. He is entitled to another four years. He is a Nigerian.”
Yakassai, you are a true Nigerian, a believer in a
United Nigeria,a truthful Northerner who is detribalised. Allah will continue to bless you and your family ; you spoke the truth.