A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Adamawa State, Umar Ardo, has blasted citizens of the state campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan while their villages and hometowns remain under Boko Haram’s control.

Mr. Ardo gave reasons why Mr. Jonathan’s campaigners would not be able to vote in the 2015 general elections. He said all the PDP chieftains showing support for Jonathan’s re-election ambition had been disenfranchised following the takeover of their constituencies by the Boko Haram terrorist group.

“For instance, Governor Bala Ngilari, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Mr. Boni Haruna and Ahmad Umaru Fintiri, who were all at the Eagles Square for Mr. President’s declaration, cannot vote as their polling units are all under the Boko Haram caliphate,” Mr. Ardo said. “Instead of them to concern themselves with the liberation of their home towns and working towards re-joining Nigeria, they are busy advocating about elections in which they have no votes.”

He said Mr. Jonathan was “unrealistic” in his approach to issues.

“Our people are forced to re-think their allegiance to the government of Nigeria,” he said. “To us, this is what Jonathan’s presidency means in Adamawa State. Under this circumstance, how can we think of election?”

An indigene of Madagali Local Government which was recently captured by Boko Haram, Umar Duhu, said government was not serious enough to re-capture towns and villages taken over by Boko Haram in Adamawa.

He noted that soldiers often fled their duty posts whenever Boko Haram insurgents attacked.

“How do you expect us to vote for a failed president?” he asked. “Those that are campaigning for him should re-think and bury their heads in shame. I believe that the government or soldiers are aiding the annexation of many towns and villages as I cannot understand why they always leave their duty posts and leave the insurgents to overtake our towns.

“The primary responsibility of the soldiers is to defend Nigeria from external aggression but it seems they have failed to discharge the onerous responsibilities leaving vast territories to be captured on a platter of gold. I am very sad about how the insurgents captured Mubi without any fight from the soldiers which exerted the belief that the soldiers are playing double games in the whole saga.”

Mr. Duhu urged the people to take more action towards enhancing their security. He said mobilizing local hunters and Civilian JTF was a step in the right direction, adding that he was ready to contribute financially to maintaining security.

Another indigene of Adamawa North, which is currently controlled by Boko Haram, Ahmed Sajoh, said it was shocking that while local hunters and Civilian JTF pursued the insurgents, the fleeing insurgents in turn pursued soldiers. He said it was easy for the insurgents to settle in Hong and Gombi local governments because the soldiers had fled those areas.

Mr. Sajoh questioned the soldiers for leaving their duty posts few hours before towns and villages were captured by the insurgents. 

“Let them dare to come and campaign and witness the people’s anger,” Mr. Sajoh said.