By Jibrin Baba Ndace
On Thursday, February 26, 2015 President Goodluck Jonathan, who by constitutional provision is not just the democratically elected President of Nigeria, but the Commander-in-chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid surprised visits to territories liberated from Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa and Borno states.
President Jonathan reportedly ‘sneaked’ into Yola, Adamawa state capital, unannounced and proceeded to Mubi where he met soldiers of 155 Special Task Force Battalion and then to Vintim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Marshal Alex Badeh . He then flew to Maiduguri and travelled by helicopter to Baga in Borno state.
He was accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Adesola Amosun and the Inspector General of Police, IG, Alhaji Suleiman Abba.
Expectedly, the president met with troops and praised their gallantry, assuring that they would be rewarded at the successful conclusion of ongoing operations against Boko Haram. While at the Maiduguri International Airport on his return to Abuja, he told journalists that he undertook the visit to see things for himself, adding that he wanted to have firsthand information on the renewed counter insurgency operation.
“First and foremost, I went to see our soldiers and to encourage them on their gallant efforts. I also want to convey the appreciation of Nigerians to them. Also, I went to inspect the weapons we have and to visit communities devastated by the excesses of Boko Haram. I went to see things for myself.
“I know there are government departments that will handle the rehabilitation of damaged communities. It is good for you as a president to see things for yourself so that when people are briefing you, you know exactly what they are saying,” the president said.
In the same vein, Presidential Spokesman, Rueben Abati, told State House correspondents that, ‘the president had assured the soldiers that government would ensure that they receive all the equipment and logistics they required to complete the ongoing mission. Abati said President Jonathan assured the troops that all issues pertaining to their welfare would be properly and expeditiously addressed.
In appreciation of the president’s visit, troops, who were clearly in high spirit as a result of the visit, ‘responded to the president’s address with chants of ‘Never Again’, assuring him that insurgents and terrorists would never again be allowed to take and hold any Nigerian territory’.
This visit to the troops in the North-east, is no doubt a welcome development, and evidently, an indication of President Jonathan’s renewed commitment to the fight against insurgency on the one hand, and realization of the need to live up to the mandate given to him by Nigerians as not just President, but Commander-in chief of the Armed Forces, on the other hand.
For too long, the president and the presidency have been in self-denial about the constitutional role of President and Commander-in-chief as enshrined in Nigerian constitution. For too long, the president and the presidency have allowed politics of the moment overshadow and override his constitutional responsibility as commander-in-chief.
For too long, the president and presidency have ignored the demand of Nigerians for President Goodluck Jonathan to lead from the front.
As the president admitted, no Nigerian is asking him to relocate to North-east or go to the battle front, what Nigerians have been demanding from him is ‘to see things for (himself), so that when people are briefing (him), (he) knows exactly what they are talking about.’
All over the world, presidents, who are also commanders-in-chief visit mission areas to primarily boost morale of troops; reassure the affected communities; do on the spot assessment of human and material requirement of the troops and above all send strong message to the enemies that they (commanders-in-chief) are in charge and solidly behind their troops.
As dangerous and unpredictable as Afghanistan and Iraq are United States presidents, United Kingdom prime ministers have paid unscheduled or surprise visits to these war zones. Similarly, French President visited French troops in Mali, Congo and Central African Republic.
Just like President Jonathan’s earlier visit to troops and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno state, few days to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential campaign’s tour to the area in January 2015, this recent visit to troops in the North-east has generated various questions: Why now? What if the elections were not rescheduled? Where has the President and Commander-In-Chief been all along?