Two prominent Nigerians from the northern part of the country have faulted the approach adopted by the Federal government on the issue of Amnesty for Boko Haram.Former Governor of Kaduna State, Col Abubakar D.Umar and Civil Rights Activists Shehu Sani in separate chats faulted the FG’s approach as they spoke in reaction to reports that Boko Haram has rejected the planned Amnesty offer to them.
Reports said Boko Haram leader,Abubakar Shekau announced the group’s rejection of any amnesty plan by the FG.Shekau said the group has not committed any offence to deserve amnesty.
While reacting to this development yesterday Col Umar said dialogue ought to have come first before rushing to grant to the sect.
Said Umar,“Well, I have all been skeptical about this amnesty issue. I align myself with the fact that there should be dialogue between the government and Boko Haram so that we will know what the insurgents want before we jump into amnesty.
According to the former governor of Kaduna State,“Without dialogue, we will not know whether they are ready for ceasefire or not. So, we need to create room for them to identify themselves, what their demands are and discuss with the Federal Government whether the government can meet these demands or not.
Umar who is also Chairman Movement for Unity and Progress, MUP added ,“Also, in considering amnesty, the Federal Government must take into account that there are victims that have been killed, maimed and those that lost their property.
In his reaction to Boko Haram’s rejection of amnesty Sani ,said: “Well, I am not surprised. In fact, it should be expected that they (Boko Haram leaders) should reject it because the government has put the horse before the cart.
“First and foremost, the whole idea of amnesty is a charade. The concept brought by Northern elders is an amnesty modelled along the line of Niger Delta and it is attached to financial commitment from the side of the state. They wanted to buy peace at a heavy amount of money just the way it is being brought about in the Niger Delta
“The committee being set up by the government would naturally be rejected by Boko Haram because it was not constituted after a consultation with the leaders of the sect.
According to the leader of Kaduna- based Civil Rights Congress,CRC ,“The whole idea is about extracting billions of naira to be shared to insurgents and also giving out contracts, using the names of Boko Haram leaders.
“They simply rejected being used by some persons who want to profit from the amnesty deal.
“The way forward is for the government to go back to Dr. Ahmed Datti Ahmed peace talk which was facilitated by a journalist, Ahmad Salkida of which the group acknowledged and endorsed at that very time.
“The outcome of that talk should then be preceded by a committee, which will have the input of the sect and also be recognised by the government.
“The next stage will then be a six to eight or nine-month ceasefire, which will ensure justice for all the victims of Boko Haram.
“So, any thought of using tax payers’ money to back up a fraudulent amnesty is an exercise in futility,”Sani said.
