By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Ahead of the launching of the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Borno State on Saturday, the state governor, Kashim Shettima on Friday appealed to all citizens of the state to maintain the peace and accord the President the respect due to him during his electioneering .visit

President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP flag bearer moves his campaign train to the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency today as the February elections draw closer.

In what is seen as a trip to test the waters, the President paid an unscheduled visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on January 15 to spend time with Nigerian troops in commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

He last visited the terrorist ravaged state in 2013 when he help a stakeholders meeting on the insecurity in the region.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Isa Gusau., the governor said the appeal became necessary because of recent incidents in Bauchi and Katsina states during which some youths and miscreants attacked the President’s convoy.

Shettima condemned such acts which he said are not only disrespectful to the President but also a mark of intolerance which should not be encouraged by right thinking people.

“From what I have read or heard in the media, so far, there has not been any issue of such in any APC controlled State visited by the President and Borno should not be an exception. We have political differences and our differences are legitimate and based on the principles of our political parties and what we stand for,’ the governor stated

“Our millions of citizens who support the APC in Borno State and our Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and anyone that supports me or any of our National and State Assembly candidates in the State, should shun any act of violence, intolerance and unlawful political behaviour before, during and after the election,” he further appealed

The issue of insecurity in the North east where Boko Haram terrorists have killed thousands of innocent people and taken over large swaths of territory has been a major campaign issue in the presidential race.

The opposition All Progressive Party, APC, has made it a major campaign issue and has criticised the Jonathan – led administration for adopting the wrong measures in addressing it.

Jonathan is expected to confront the issue as he campaigns in Borno State and unfold a new strategy at dealing decisively with the insurgency issue