The National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,has urged the federal government to include negotiation and amnesty in its move to address the Boko Haram insurgency.
Mr. Tinubu who said that the application of force alone will only made the situation worse has disagreed with President Jonathan’s stance on amnesty for the fundamentalists, saying that amnesty must be based on justice, particularly for those with no blood stains on their hands.
The former governor of Lagos state made this known during his visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, to commiserate the failed attack on him earlier in the year.
In a recent visit to Borno state, President Jonathan had declared no amnesty for the religious extremists who he described as ‘ghosts.’
“I support the granting of amnesty to the sect but with some conditions, which include justice for those people with blood in their hands because it would go a long way in discouraging such dastardly acts in future” he added.
“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” he said.
He however said that members of the insurgent group who engage in criminal activities should be brought to justice.
He further noted that granting amnesty to the sect is inevitable if the country is to avoid a devastating war, stating that “we cannot afford to fight another war in our own country.”
Mr Tinubu also blamed the security challenges of the country on the duplication of ministries related to the Police affairs which he says has rendered efforts of the Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar ineffective.
“It is the responsibility of the president to protect lives and properties of Nigerians and ensure stability of the country. If he is not capable of doing this, then he should resign as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Jonathan cannot continue to blame one Inspector General of Police, after another. It is the responsibility of the President to ensure that unity and peace prevail in the country and that we are not divided by tribal and religion differences,” Tinubu said.
“Again, we‘ll equally look at the police to see if for every action taken there is justification and punishment for those who committed crimes against humanity.”
The former governor said it is regrettable that some Nigerians are feeding on the conflict, claiming that it gives them unhindered access to country’s security vote, hence they would ensure that there was no end to it.
“I am convinced that the Boko Haram conflict is sponsored and promoted by some highly placed people for economic reasons, while others try to polarise it along political divides” he stated.
