TheCable

President Goodluck Jonathan says the Boko Haram insurgency is the greatest problem of his administration.

Speaking late Wednesday night during an interview with Mo Abudu of Ebonylife TV, Jonathan lamented that Nigerians were not appreciating the good work his government in other sectors of the country simply because of the insurgency.

“The greatest problem we have is Boko Haram, which is masking what the government has done,” he said.

“If not for Boko Haram Nigerians will be appreciative of the government.

“The issue of insecurity is like a wall of snakes, but watch out, we will progress in the war against terrorism. The soldiers will be progressing faster in the war against Boko Haram now.”

The president, who spoke about the high points and low points of his government, admitted that power remained a problem in the country, but assured citizens that his government was working hard to ensure power stability.

“The power sector has remained a problem in the country, but we are getting to a time when Nigerians will start taking power for granted,” he said.

On the depreciation of the naira, Jonathan attributed it to the prevailing volatility of the world economy, adding that the South African rand was also affected.

He further declared that his government was passionate about developing the education and health sectors, saying: “I don’t play politics with development.”

Jonathan also said he had been fighting a winning battle against corruption.

“What we have done is the suppression of corruption, but it has not removed it,” he said.

“In terms of arresting and prosecuting people for corruption, we have done that in the last period. We cannot play politics with corruption.”

The president disclosed that the area in which the suppression of corruption had been most effective was in the agricultural sector.

He noted that drawbacks and underhand practices associated with the distribution of fertiliser had been curbed as farmers now get the commodity directly.

“By the time we finish tying up all the loose ends, the next person after me will not be harassed by journalists about corruption,” he said.

Despite all the challenges facing his administration, he said he had no regrets.