Nigerian presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari drew
thousands of supporters Monday to a campaign rally in Borno state, a stronghold
of Boko Haram insurgents, where he pledged to wipe out the militant group.
Buhari, from the All Progressives Congress political party, packed popular
Ramat Square in Maiduguri, and was joined by Borno Gov. Kashim Shettima and
other party leaders from across the country, according to local media reports.
“If elected, I will focus on tackling the persistent
insecurity affecting the northeast,” Buhari, 72, promised. “It’s not easy, as
the damage has been done.” He continued: “Boko Haram’s ideology contradicts
Islamic principles because [Islam] does not allow the senseless killing of
innocents. It is unfortunate that innocent people are being killed in mosques,
churches and their homes."
The Borno state government declared Monday a public holiday
to encourage people to attend the rally. Nigeria had been scheduled to hold its
elections on Saturday, but the contest was delayed amid military leaders'
concerns that Boko Haram insurgents will not allow for a safe election process.
The country’s official electoral commission has since postponed the vote to
March 28.
Buhari, a former military ruler, is among 13 challengers
running against President Goodluck Jonathan. He is considered the most viable
rival against Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party, which has ruled the country
since its return to democracy in 1999. He is running for president for the
fourth time since 2003.
Boko Haram has threatened security in Nigeria for years. It
has declared a self-styled “Islamic caliphate” and targeted neighboring African
nations in recent months. “If an APC government is elected, all towns under
Boko Haram’s control will be liberated and rebuilt,” Buhari said.
Buhari canceled an earlier visit to Borno because of security
concerns. He is popular in the area partly because he is a northern-born
Muslim, according to Agence France-Presse. Jonathan is from Nigeria's mainly
Christian south. He visited Borno in January.
Credit to Cristina Silva
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