Don’t blame Jonathan, Boko Haram started before him – Tanko Yakasai

Frontline northern politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has stated that President Goodluck Jonathan should not be blamed for the growing activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country. He also buttressed that the emergence of Boko Haram could only be traced to former President, Late Yar’ Adua’s regime.

In further defence of Jonathan, he said the extremists had started terrorizing the country before Jonathan was elected president.

He dismissed the claims that the violent group would ceasefire if President Jonathan declares his intention not to run in 2015.

“Boko Haram started before Jonathan. Their leader was killed during the reign of Late Umaru Yar’adua. So, how can people attribute that situation to what is happening today,” he questioned.

Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna, Yakasai declared that nothing would happen to Nigeria if President Goodluck Jonathan decides to run for the 2015 election.

“I started the clamour for north to produce the president, but it is not a matter of life and death. Jonathan is a Nigerian; he contested the 2011 election and won. And now he is two years plus, nothing happened to Nigeria. He can finish his two terms and nothing will happen to the country. He is entitled to another four years. He is a Nigerian,” Yakasai added.