Nigeria's ruling party lauds president visit to restive Borno

Nigeria's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that Thursday's visit by President Goodluck Jonathan to Maiduguri, capital of restive state of Borno, was a morale booster to the military.

The visit to one of the North-East states being terrorized by insurgents, had further demonstrated the president's commitment to the ongoing war against terrorism in the country, the party said.

According to the PDP, Jonathan's assurances on the welfare and equipment of the military during the visit had become a catalyst to the overall determination of the government to win the war against insurgency.

The ruling party described the reception accorded the president in the state and the peace that pervaded the visit as symbolic and clear indication of his acceptability by the people of the state.

While commending the president for ensuring professionalism in the military, the party said the armed forces had been rebuilt, re- equipped and was being re-engineered.

This will enable the military to adequately confront the current terrorism challenges facing the country, the PDP added.

The ruling party called on Nigerians to continue to support Jonathan and the PDP as he remained focused in ensuring the unity and stability of the country.

Jonathan and his military chiefs on Thursday undertook an unexpected visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The president and the military high command left for Borno State, the hot bed of Boko Haram insurgency, after attending the Armed Forces Remembrance in Abuja, the nation's capital.

The Nigerian leader has come under severe criticisms over the handling of the fight against the group. The president has also been criticized for not meeting with troops who complain of poor equipment and funding for the war.

Boko Haram recently seized Baga, a town in Borno State. Amnesty International said the group killed 2,000 residents. The Nigerian military said only 150 people were killed. Endi