The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has supported the decision of the Federal Government to grant amnesty to repentant members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Bishop Kukah revealed his position while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Hard Copy in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
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“I think I was one of the first people to raise the issue of amnesty about five years ago, I know how much we were vilified,” he said.
“But I was pretty convinced about what I was saying that for me if you mention the word amnesty, Nigerians think it simply means shaking hands and telling everybody to go home.”
On March 23, President Muhammadu Buhari had said the Federal Government was willing to offer amnesty to members of the outlawed group.
He had noted that while further efforts were ongoing to secure the release of every citizen abducted by the insurgents, government was ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the group who showed strong commitment in that regard.
Bishop Kukah, on his part, lauded the decision, saying amnesty was the way to go as no war has ended with victory being declared.
He added, “If Boko Haram has been perceived to be as so weakened as it is, we would not be talking about negotiation. So clearly, those with superior information and superior knowledge – which is what government is all about – know something that the rest of us don’t.”
Evaluating the war against corruption, the clergyman faulted the list of alleged looters recently released by the Federal Government.
He described the list as “uninspiring and diversionary,” saying it hardly speaks to the conduct of politics in Nigeria which he claimed had always run on corruption.
“From the last local government chairman, senator, president, governor; it would be nice to know one single politician who has run for office with what you call ‘hard-earned’ money.
“Corruption is not something that government fights, government might offer a lead, but it will get you to nowhere unless you have the buy-in of the people,” Kukah said.
