Perhaps, the recent spate of attacks by terrorist sect, Boko Haram, is responsible for the talks of negotiation by the Presidency.
On Friday, Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, had revealed to BBC in an interview, that the Federal Government would be open to a negotiations with Boko Haram, provided the sect is willing.
Possibly to reiterate and buttress the point, the Presidency released a statement on Saturday, repeating almost the same thing- that they are ready to negotiate with Boko Haram.
The statement read:
“Most wars, however furious or vicious, often end around the negotiation table. So, if Boko Haram opts for negotiation, the government will not be averse to it. Government will, however, not be negotiating from a position of weakness, but that of strength.”
“The machinery put in place, and which will be set in motion soon, can only devastate and decapitate insurgency. It is multinational in nature, and relief is on the way for Nigeria and her neighbours. President Muhammadu Buhari is resolute. He has battled and won insurgency before, he is poised to win again. It is a promise he made to Nigerians, and he is a promise keeper.”
“But I say again, if the insurgents want to negotiate, no decent government will be averse to such. Didn’t the Taliban and Americans also negotiate in Afghanistan?”
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