In the last couple of years many public figures and prominent
Nigerian commented on the possibility to pardon the Boko Haram members.
They appealed to the Jonathan Administration for granting an amnesty to
them. What we really wonder is: do these persons still remember saying
that? All of their words were fixed by the press and put on the paper
and online.
1. Governor Rabui Kwankwaso
The Governor of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwaso in February 2014 declared that granting amnesty to the Boko Haram insurgents would put an end to the regular killings in the North East. He added that President Jonathan should emulate late President Yar’Adua, who granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants when they were protesting.
2. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
A former Lagos State Governor on March 2013 declared that the Boko Haram militants should be granted amnesty:
“For the innocent ones among them, there must be amnesty. We cannot fight a war in our own country against minor crimes and minor people. We would only end up multiplying these people by trying to use force against our own citizens. I therefore disagree with the President; they are not ghosts.”
3. Sule Lamido
The Governor of Jigawa Sate Sule Lamido mentioned in April 2013 that
government should consider the idea of granting amnesty to the members
of Boko Haram. He also expressed an optimistic opinion that the
insurgency of Boko Haram would soon become a thing of the past.
4. Admiral Murtala Nyako
5. Nasir El-Rufai
A Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, commented on the issue in 2013:
“There is nowhere in the world where insurgencies have been defeated using force alone. You must have a carrot and stick approach and if amnesty is that carrot that will lead us to some peace in the country, I think it is worth exploring.”
He was sure that victory of the Nigerian government cannot be achieved only with military actions. El-Rufai also added:
“It is very disingenuous for President Jonathan to say that Boko Haram members are ghosts because the federal government have made several statements on its relations and discussions with the sect.”
6. Former First Lady Turai Yar’Adua
Mrs Turai Yar’Adua, the wife of Nigeria’s former president, begged
President Goodluck Jonathan in the April 2013 to the same her husband
did in the Niger Delta region:
“President Jonathan needs to take a bold step my husband (Yar’Adua) took in the face of critical oppositions by granting amnesty to the Niger Delta militants when he saw the alarming rate at which children and women were dying in the Niger Delta region,” Turai advised.
7. Muhammadu Buhari
A Former Head of State and the National leader of the now-defunct
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.)
also commented the probable amnesty for the sect members in April 2013.
“It is good that they have set up a committee on amnesty. I have not seen the terms of reference but, it is a right step in the right direction. This is not the first time amnesty would be given to a violent group, you remember it happened in the time of Yar’Adua when he granted amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta. Whatever that would bring us peace as a society, we should do it”.
READ ALSO: Jonathan Ready To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram Members.
8. Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar was the Vice President during the Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo’s administration between 1999 and 2007. The founding member of
the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has once demanded for the amnesty for Boko Haram in the following manner:
1. Governor Rabui Kwankwaso
The Governor of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwaso in February 2014 declared that granting amnesty to the Boko Haram insurgents would put an end to the regular killings in the North East. He added that President Jonathan should emulate late President Yar’Adua, who granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants when they were protesting.
2. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
“For the innocent ones among them, there must be amnesty. We cannot fight a war in our own country against minor crimes and minor people. We would only end up multiplying these people by trying to use force against our own citizens. I therefore disagree with the President; they are not ghosts.”
3. Sule Lamido
4. Admiral Murtala Nyako
Former Governor of Adamawa State, the impeached Governor of Adamawa State shared his view on the
controversial issue in May 2013. Nyako said that the members of the Boko
Haram sect should embrace the amnesty being proposed for them by the
Federal Government. He thought this act would encourage the sect members
to dialog.
5. Nasir El-Rufai
“There is nowhere in the world where insurgencies have been defeated using force alone. You must have a carrot and stick approach and if amnesty is that carrot that will lead us to some peace in the country, I think it is worth exploring.”
He was sure that victory of the Nigerian government cannot be achieved only with military actions. El-Rufai also added:
“It is very disingenuous for President Jonathan to say that Boko Haram members are ghosts because the federal government have made several statements on its relations and discussions with the sect.”
6. Former First Lady Turai Yar’Adua
“President Jonathan needs to take a bold step my husband (Yar’Adua) took in the face of critical oppositions by granting amnesty to the Niger Delta militants when he saw the alarming rate at which children and women were dying in the Niger Delta region,” Turai advised.
7. Muhammadu Buhari
“It is good that they have set up a committee on amnesty. I have not seen the terms of reference but, it is a right step in the right direction. This is not the first time amnesty would be given to a violent group, you remember it happened in the time of Yar’Adua when he granted amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta. Whatever that would bring us peace as a society, we should do it”.
READ ALSO: Jonathan Ready To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram Members.
8. Atiku Abubakar
“If I were the President, I would have no hesitation to throw the
ball into the court of the Boko Haram leaders. As was case with the
Niger Delta militancy, I would declare amnesty for the sect members with
a deadline within which to surrender their arms. With the expiration of
the deadline, if the sect members don’t lay down their arms, then my
government would be in a better position to face its critics that accuse
it of not taking the initiative. The deadline for the surrender of arms
would show whether the Boko Haram fighters want peace or not.”
Read more>>> www.tan.org.ng
