Jonathan intervention in northeast made 2015 polls possible — Dasuki

The embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki, has said that their interventions fighting Boko Haram in the North East made possible the 2015 elections.

Dasuki stated this in his foreword to a new book titled “Boko Haram Media War- An Encounter with the Spymaster,” authored by Yushau A. Shuaib.

Dasuki is facing trial over alleged corruption and misappropriation of money meant for fighting insurgency.

The former NSA, who is also in detention, insists that the Jonathan-led government tackled the Boko Haram menace.

He stated that the government recovered dozens of towns and villages which led to the smooth conduct of the 2015 general elections in the North East.

“In fact, without our intervention in ensuring the defeat of Boko Haram, the electorates could not have had the opportunity to exercise their franchise.

“It is a fact that we provided peace and stability that afforded Nigerians, especially in the North-East in voting for their governors, legislators and others in the 2015 elections,” he added.

He also noted the Soft Approach Programme initiated for countering terrorism through de-radicalization without the use of force.

The former NSA said the Jonathan administration also introduced and implemented programmes for economic empowerment, education, communication, rehabilitation and counselling in the North-East.

“Crisis Communication, as one of the components of general campaigns, was initiated to win the heart of the citizens, boost the morale of the troops and weaken the fighting spirit of the terrorists,” he said.

“On the media campaign, Yushau Shuaib, who came highly recommended, had been disengaged from the public service but was immediately re-engaged by the system to act as Chief Consultant on Crisis Communication,” he added.

Also according to Dasuki, practical aspects of Crisis Communication were deployed throughout the campaign period especially between, June 2013 and May 2015.

He said sensitive security issues were handled professionally, with strict adherence to confidentiality to avoid compromising national security.