‘Granting amnesty to Boko Haram could decrease the killings in the North’ – Afenifere

by Rachel Ogbu

Northern Economic Summit leader, Jerry Gana
Northern Economic Summit leader, Jerry Gana

The Boko Haram amnesty recommendations have been at the peak of discussion in the last two weeks. Yesterday, the Northern Economic Summit and the Afenifere Renewal Group joined in with both groups taking very different sides on the matter.

According to reports, the ARG said granting amnesty to Boko Haram could decrease the killings in the North.

On Tuesday in Ado Ekiti, the Coordinator of ARG in Ekiti State, Bunmi Awotiku said President Goodluck Jonathan should visit the Sultan and ask why he asked for amnesty for Boko Haram members. “What is happening regarding Boko Haram is not limited to the North. The Boko Haram is a national issue. President Goodluck Jonathan should wake up and find a lasting solution to the insecurity in the country.”

“The Sultan is one of those, whose shoes are pinching. The Emir of Kano is a victim and if people, who are affected by the activities of this group are advocating amnesty for them, then the President should listen,” he said.

But the NES questioned the procedure of granting an amnesty to people operating in hiding saying members had to first be identified before they can get amnesty from the Federal Government.

NES leader, Jerry Gana, who spoke Abuja on Tuesday said, the members of the sect must come out of hiding and renounce violence before amnesty can be considered.

“They must come out to discuss with the government. If this is done, government can be convinced to give amnesty. Amnesty cannot be in absentia.”

“Let there be genuine dialogue; let there be honesty between the group and the government. When this is done, we can achieve peace,” he said.

The ex-Minister for Information said the federal and state governments must pay greater attention to the resolution of security challenges facing the North adding that the security and welfare of the people stayed the purpose of governance.

[READ: Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants aren’t the same – Presidency rejects plea for Boko Haram amnesty]

The Punch reports:

Meanwhile, Senator Mohammed Maccido on Wednesday said the Sultan deserved commendation not condemnation for suggesting the granting of amnesty to Boko Haram members.

He explained that by virtue of his position as a religious leader, the Sultan spoke the minds of several northern leaders, who were sincere in the search for peace.

Maccido subsequently demanded unreserved apologies from a House of Representatives member, Bitrus Kaze, over his attack on the Sultan over the issue.

 

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