Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said he underestimated Boko Haram Islamists who have overrun swathes of the country’s northeast and defended an election postponement in an interview published Sunday.

Jonathan, facing a tight re-election bid against ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, has faced criticism over the vote delay, which critics argue was designed to give him time to shore up his campaign.
The military pushed for the six-week delay eventually granted by the electoral commission to allow it to secure the country for the vote, though Boko Haram’s insurgency has raged for six years.
Presidential and parliamentary elections are now set for March 28.
“Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram,” Jonathan said in an interview with influential newspaper ThisDay.
He said that the military has recently acquired more arms and ammunition to do battle with the Islamists, vowing that their suppression and the capture of the group’s leader were near.
“God willing, we will catch (Abubakar) Shekau before the elections,” he said.
Asked why six more weeks would make a difference in the years-long conflict that has killed more than 13,000 people, Jonathan said the military could make reasonable progress in that time.
“We are not saying we must finish Boko Haram to conduct elections, but we should get to a point where they will not cause havoc if they make an attempt,” he said in the interview.
“My belief is that by 28th of next month, when the elections will be conducted, Boko Haram may not even be in a position to attack any town, God willing.”
Nigeria‘s military authorities on Saturday claimed to have recaptured the fishing town of Baga from the Islamists, more than a month after it was overrun in what is feared to be the worst massacre of the six-year insurgency.
There was no independent corroboration of the claim, as thousands of Baga residents had fled the town after Boko Haram attacked on January 3 and hundreds, if not more, were killed in the following days.
Over one million people have been left homeless since 2009 as the rebels try to carve out an Islamic state in northeasternNigeria.
The Islamists have recently extended their violent campaign into nations neighbouring Nigeria‘s northeast as regional forces pursue them.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/i-underestimated-boko-haram-jonathan/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.g5kXG5tP.dpuf

GEJ 2019

K

this guy self

The clueless one said he understood BH implies he is their founding father and why has it taken him so long to combat them. Abeg tell us something new instead of playing politics with people's lives. As for me on no matter what GEJ does from today till tomorrow I have decided to vote for CHANGE come March 2015.

God bless Nigeria, God bless the peoples general !!!

SAI Buhari/PYO

So also the under estimate him to the extent of almost been involved in a bomb blast as the bomb was let off minutes later he passed the place from a campaign venue.

“Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram,” Jonathan said in an interview with influential newspaper ThisDay.

Jonathan,I really regret that I voted for you in 2011 election,because you are nothing but a CLOWN!

That excuse is not acceptable.

And when we say this man is not fit as a local government chairman, they think we exaggerate.

Anyway Jonathan, we Nigerians underestimated your cluelessness! If not, we wouldn't have voted you (minus me though) in 2011.

The under estimation of Boko Haram cost many lives. We shall also under estimate our support on election day. GMB is the new PRESIDENT.

not acceptable when u would've destroyed those islamists long ago.....but it's never too late.... we hope u crush em completely so we can all live in peace and prosper as a nation. ...

God bless you Mr President

GEJ till 2019

u don't give a damn before because you believe it is northerners killing themselves, but now that u want their votes, so the u-turn and the change of attitude

Y won't u underestimate them when you & Alimodu Sheriff are their brigade commanders - Werey!

A whole President who sworn to protect lives & properties spewing thrash in the name of excuses no qualms otuoke is your abode as from May 29.
GMB/PYO 2015 to the rescue.

hmmmmm! think right dis time no mercy vote for anyone,underestimated my foot

These past years thousands of people have been murdered, kidnapped, displaced and our C-in-C is saying he underestimated Boko Haram. I honestly do not know anywhere else in the world that this guy would remain president after this kind of admission. I'm not even talking about losing election, he'll have either (dis)honorably retired or he would have been impeached. In my Nigeria however, he even has a chance of re-election

Whot!! Hear what my president has to say about the loss of over 13,000 innocent citizens.. Smh.. Only in Nigeria will a president accept failure which led to the death of such a large number of people and still has the guts to seek reelection.

I hope he will not under estimate the speed at which he'll be kicked out of Aso Rock.

Sometimes I wonder if Jonathan is truly our President.

How can a whole president say this trash!

How can you say you underestimated a group that kidnapped more than 200 girls? Killed more than 10,000 citizens that you vowed to protect?

JESUS!

And some people are still supporting this man?

U underestimated BH? Wat else can I say abt Mr President Am really short of words

kodded:
GEJ 2019

Yea he did but now he's wiping them like wiper

Any responsible leader would have been alarmed from the time Boko haram exploded it's first bomb. Not wait until thousands are dead or displaced.