by Hauwa Gambo

The Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Oronto Douglas has repeated the president’s line that he is not in dialogue with the violent group, Boko Haram.

He was speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday on the topic ‘National Unity: Imperative for Growth and Development in Nigeria’ as a guest lecturer at the 3rd Annual Public Lecture of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

“You can’t discuss with the people you don’t know,” Douglas said. “You can’t discuss with the air. You have to talk with human beings. If members of Boko Haram come out today to say ‘we are Boko Haram’, Mr. President will give an audience for a dialogue either directly or through identified committees.

“So, at this moment, there is no dialogue going on between the Federal Government and Boko Haram.”

He however said the president would continue to be “humane” in the efforts to deal with the violence and insecurity especially in the North.

Perhaps appropriately, he was accompanied to the event by Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo.