Secretary to the Borno Govt say Boko Haram has taken over part of the state

The Secretary to the Borno state government, Amb. Ahmed Jidda says Boko Haram men have taken over a considerable part of the state. Speaking to newsmen yesterday September 7th in Borno state, the SSG said activities of the sect members have paralyzed most economy, social, political and government activities in the state.

"At this very moment, most parts of Borno state are being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents. Government presence and administration is minimal or non-existent across many parts of the state, with economic, commercial and social services totally subdued. Schools and clinics remain closed. Most settlements in the affected areas in the state have either been deserted or access to them practically impossible, thus majority of the political stakeholders cannot, in real fact, reach their constituencies. So, the threat of insecurity affects everybody irrespective of political differences."

The enabling environment for politics and electioneering campaign is simply not obtainable at present in Borno state. In the view of many, the thought about politics and pursuit of political interest in this environment appears absurd, callous and  morally repulsive" he said

He said the state and its citizens would be silent on matters regarding the 2015 general elections as the state was not conducive for any form of election campaigning. He queried the Independent National Electoral Commission for planning to conduct a bye election in Jedi LGA House of Assembly constituency on October 3rd even in the face of the high rate of terrorist activities.

He said most of the citizens in the state have taken refuge in other countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroon. He appealed to Nigerians, mostly those in the North East to help offer solutions that would end the activities of the sect men.

Culled