Rep warns against politicising Jega’s caution

elections may not hold in the states may not be out of place in view of the need to protect lives and properties of the people, a member of the House of Representatives Kaka Kyari Gujbawu has said.
Gujbawu (PDP, Borno), who was speaking with journalists over the weekend, expressed surprise at the reactions of some people following Jega’s statement, accusing the INEC chairman’s critics of playing to the gallery.
The lawmaker faulted some members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for alleging that Jega’s fears were part of calculated attempts by the PDP to weaken the party in the affected states.
“We shouldn’t t politicize security issues even as I will not want to join issues with my very good friend Governor Kashim Shettima. But I am compelled to do so for the sake of the nation that I am part of and for the sake of the constituency that I represent at the National Assembly.
“What Jega said was very clear. He said if the security situation continues unabated, there is nothing he can do about holding election there. Today there is no Borno indigene that will tell you he can traverse the 27 local government areas of the state without fear of being kidnapped or killed; not even 50 per cent of Borno State.
“That is the situation today and it is a fact. A lot of our brothers and friends are being kidnapped as I am talking; they are being killed; how do you think of going to conduct election in that place? Do you want to expose the poor people simply because you want to remain in office? I don’t want that to happen,” he said.
Gujbawu said as a representative of the Maiduguri people, such fears were a reflection of the security situation on ground, adding that the people are fed up with the insurgency.
He said rather than criticize the emergency rule declared in May, President Jonathan should be applauded for taking the bold step to tackle the security challenges in the affected areas.
While applauding the efforts of members of the ‘civilian JTF’ in the state, the lawmaker said they would soon be honoured with a national award by President Jonathan over their heroic contributions in curtailing the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.