The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Goodluck Jonathan is afraid of Boko Haram.

Special Assistant to the President on Public Communication, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said this at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said it was wrong to assume that Jonathan refused to go to Eagles Square, Abuja, for the second year running to mark the country’s 52nd Independence on Monday because he feared he could be attacked by the Islamic sect.

Okupe said, “The President was not and is not afraid of the sect. To say he celebrated the anniversary in his bedroom because of Boko Haram sect is an insult.”

But when asked why the President increased the number of the Special Forces Battalion of the Brigade of Guards in the Presidential Villa, Okupe said it was because the Boko Haram issue was a very serious one.

He said, “We are dealing with a very serious sect, Boko Haram, and I am surprised that people are asking why the President is ensuring that his security is beefed up.

“Under this circumstance, the President is the commander-in-chief. When you go to war; the commander-in-chief is the one in charge.

“When you go to war, in those days the man that carries the flag, when he falls down, that is the end of the war.

“So, you have to make sure that he (the C-in-C) stands and stands erect. The fact that the security in the Villa is beefed up is borne out of necessity and circumstances.”

President presented regimental colour to the newly established 176 Special Forces battalion of the Brigade of Guards at the Presidential Villa on Monday.

The new battalion was said to have been established due to insecurity in the country.

Its establishment brought the number of battalions under the guard to three.

Our correspondent reports that a battalion is made up of between 700 and 1000 soldiers.

However, a typical battalion under the United Nations is usually made up of 776 soldiers.

Okupe chided the opposition political parties for their criticisms of the government.

He said the only thing  the opposition celebrates was “evil and disasters,” wondering why they refused to join hands with the Federal Government to fight corruption in the country.

He said the way the opposition was conducting its affairs, indicated that its members were not ready to assume power in 2015.

http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-not-afraid-of-boko-haram-presidency/

My ppl normally say dt ""NKUCHA Abughi Ujo""

He can celeb it anywia he want/wish.

My ppl normally say dt ""NKWUCHA Abughi Ujo""

He can celeb it anywia he want/wish.

There is no point to be scared of them,since he is the commander in chief and he is on top of the situation,the evil sect will surely come to an end very soon.

You should not only claim that you are not afraid.
You should be seen not to be afraid.

Okupe has only stated that the President was not afraid of the Boko Haram sect.
He failed to provide the reason(s) why the President did not go to Eagle Square for the second year running.

So, if he was not afraid why didn't he simply go to Eagle Square?
In that case, he would have been seen not to be afraid.

And this clarification, or rebuttal, by Okupe would not have been necessary.

Pukkah: You should not only claim that you are not afraid.
You should be seen not to be afraid.

Okupe has only stated that the President was not afraid of the Boko Haram sect.
He failed to provide the reason(s) why the President did not go to Eagle Square for the second year running.

So, if he was not afraid why didn't he simply go to Eagle Square?
In that case, he would have been seen not to be afraid.

And this clarification, or rebuttal, by Okupe would not have been necessary.

oga pukkah,before you blame poor GEJ Boko Haram is a problem that has been inherited,as far as I am concern the govt is managing this problem very well,if not states like Borno,Yobe,Gombe Adamawa would have been captured,but at least they are kept at bay and successes are recorded daily,there is no need to be scared of a faceless group,we must be strong as Nigerians to fight this evil rather than trading blames.

Joeadamu86: oga pukkah,before you blame poor GEJ Boko Haram is a problem that has been inherited,as far as I am concern the govt is managing this problem very well,if not states like Borno,Yobe,Gombe Adamawa would have been captured,but at least they are kept at bay and successes are recorded daily,there is no need to be scared of a faceless group,we must be strong as Nigerians to fight this evil rather than trading blames.

Was there any reason for the 'the President is not afraid' statement to have come from Okupe? Who specifically was he responding to? Why not let a sleeping dog lie?

The likes of Okupe are the ones complicating the matter. The matter is very obvious so why broach it? On one hand, you say that he is not afraid. In the same breath, you are admitting that he has stayed away from the traditional Eagle Square for two years? Do these two add up?

Pukkah:

Was there any reason for the 'the President is not afraid' statement to have come from Okupe? Who specifically was he responding to? Why not let a sleeping dog lie?

The likes of Okupe are the ones complicating the matter. The matter is very obvious so why broach it? On one hand, you say that he is not afraid. In the same breath, you are admitting that he has stayed away from the traditional Eagle Square for two years? Do these two add up?

It is nauseating how insecure and unpresidential this Presidency is. Saharareporters and others now 'wag' them everyday. Instead of facing governance, it is all about obsessing over what others are saying and responding to every petty crap said about the Presidency. If saharareporters say GEJ was seen shopping in Newk York Abati will respond within minutes to show date-stamped pictures of GEJ sleeping in his Aso Rock bed.

And according to GEJ, celebrations will not be elaborate until 2014. We don't want to give BH the wrong signal (borrowing GEJ's phrase).