President Goodluck Jonathan has again, vowed to defeat the Boko Haram insurgents.
He gave the reassurance on Wednesday in his New Year message to the nation.
“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,” Jonathan said.
The President commended the military personnel for their gallantry, reaffirming his commitment to secure Nigeria’s future and the generations yet unborn.
“This year, as in the year past, I reaffirm my commitment to work to ensure a secure future for our dear country and the generations yet unborn.
“We have contended with the normal challenges of nation-building and the unusual challenges of terrorism.
“But we have continued to vigorously confront those who seek to destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.
“On this first day of the New Year, I want to pay special tribute to the gallant officers, men and women of our Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in our country and sub-region.
“I also commend all Nigerians who have remained vigilant and cooperative with our security agencies in the fight against the common enemy.
“We are re-equipping and re-positioning our armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency,” he said.
President Jonathan also spoke about the achievements of his administration in all the critical sectors of the economy as well as efforts to create more jobs for the youths.
On the 2015 general elections, the President had this to say, “As we enter an election year, I assure you that our administration will remain fully focused on providing good governance and the delivery of better public services to our people.
“The coming campaigns and elections will not distract us from our ongoing work to significantly improve the living conditions of our people. And I urge all tiers of government not to be distracted as well.
“The elections are very important for us as a country. Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.
“Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.
“I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.
“I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized.
“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. 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.
“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.
“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015”.
