THE leadership of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) Friday showered praises on President Goodluck Jonathan
for setting up a committee to consider the agitation for the granting of
amnesty to the Boko Haram sect.
Democratic Party (PDP) Friday showered praises on President Goodluck Jonathan
for setting up a committee to consider the agitation for the granting of
amnesty to the Boko Haram sect.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisah Metuh, in a
statement titled: ‘Amnesty Committee: The Making of a Great Nigerian
President,’ said by setting up the committee, Jonathan has demonstrated that he
is a listening leader.
statement titled: ‘Amnesty Committee: The Making of a Great Nigerian
President,’ said by setting up the committee, Jonathan has demonstrated that he
is a listening leader.
The statement reads in part: “The leadership of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) commends President Goodluck Jonathan for constituting an
Amnesty Committee on the Boko Haram insurgency.
Democratic Party (PDP) commends President Goodluck Jonathan for constituting an
Amnesty Committee on the Boko Haram insurgency.
“This is yet another demonstration of the President’s sincerity
and forthrightness in handling national issues. The President has shown that he
is indeed a listening leader and that the unity of the country is paramount to
him in line with the vision of the founding fathers of our nation.
and forthrightness in handling national issues. The President has shown that he
is indeed a listening leader and that the unity of the country is paramount to
him in line with the vision of the founding fathers of our nation.
“We believe the initiative of the President in setting up the
Amnesty Committee is the best decision at the moment and we are optimistic that
this drive will yield the desired results in the general good and restore the
unity of our nation.
Amnesty Committee is the best decision at the moment and we are optimistic that
this drive will yield the desired results in the general good and restore the
unity of our nation.
“In giving the committee the terms of reference to consider the
feasibility or otherwise of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram adherents and to
collate the clamour arising from different interest groups who want the federal
government to administer clemency on members of the religious sect and to
recommend the modalities for granting amnesty if necessary, the President has
again shown his humility and commitment to carry all Nigerians along in all his
actions in line with the tenets of democracy.”
feasibility or otherwise of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram adherents and to
collate the clamour arising from different interest groups who want the federal
government to administer clemency on members of the religious sect and to
recommend the modalities for granting amnesty if necessary, the President has
again shown his humility and commitment to carry all Nigerians along in all his
actions in line with the tenets of democracy.”
It continued: “We assure Nigerians that the PDP remains resolute
in the commitment to restoring peace in the country, especially in the North
and to return the region to its lost glory as the hub of unity, investment and
trade in the country and the West African sub-region.
in the commitment to restoring peace in the country, especially in the North
and to return the region to its lost glory as the hub of unity, investment and
trade in the country and the West African sub-region.
“It is on record that the North is the most receptive region in
the country. Indeed there is no part of the country that is more accommodating
than the North which has always been home for all people, irrespective of
religious creed and tribal affiliations.
the country. Indeed there is no part of the country that is more accommodating
than the North which has always been home for all people, irrespective of
religious creed and tribal affiliations.
“We therefore call on the leaders of the North to take advantage
of the President’s initiative and pursue peace so as to return the entire North
to its lost glory.”
of the President’s initiative and pursue peace so as to return the entire North
to its lost glory.”
In the same vein, Governor Ibrahim Shedu Shema of Katsina State
yesterday hailed the move, saying that if carried out with good intention, it
would go long way in curbing the growing insecurity challenges in the country.
yesterday hailed the move, saying that if carried out with good intention, it
would go long way in curbing the growing insecurity challenges in the country.
Shema’s reaction came during an interaction with State House Press
Corps in Abuja. He however absolved the Northern governors of the allegation of
lethargy, saying they had been up and doing in order to ensure that the crisis
is contained.
Corps in Abuja. He however absolved the Northern governors of the allegation of
lethargy, saying they had been up and doing in order to ensure that the crisis
is contained.
His words: “I believe if a security committee is set up in good
faith, it is for the good of Nigeria and for the resolution to the crisis that
has bedeviled most of Northern Nigeria on the issue of insecurity.
faith, it is for the good of Nigeria and for the resolution to the crisis that
has bedeviled most of Northern Nigeria on the issue of insecurity.
“So if a committee on amnesty is set up, it is done because
Nigerians and leaders from the Northern part of the country are yearning for a
quick resolution to the matter. And the president is responding positively to
this request so that our nation can go on in peace, progress and development.”
Nigerians and leaders from the Northern part of the country are yearning for a
quick resolution to the matter. And the president is responding positively to
this request so that our nation can go on in peace, progress and development.”
The governor disputed claims in some quarters that the Northern
States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) was not doing anything about the security
situation in the region, recalling that the Forum had once set up a special
standing committee on peace and reconciliation. “That cannot be correct because
if you remember, the Northern Governors’ Forum did set up a special committee
of peace, healing and reconciliation. And that committee has been working very
hard and is submitting its second report to the Northern Governors’ Forum and
certainly all hands are on deck, including traditional institutions, religious
and political leaders, even from the services – military, retired, the police,
SSS are all part of that committee.
States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) was not doing anything about the security
situation in the region, recalling that the Forum had once set up a special
standing committee on peace and reconciliation. “That cannot be correct because
if you remember, the Northern Governors’ Forum did set up a special committee
of peace, healing and reconciliation. And that committee has been working very
hard and is submitting its second report to the Northern Governors’ Forum and
certainly all hands are on deck, including traditional institutions, religious
and political leaders, even from the services – military, retired, the police,
SSS are all part of that committee.
“So there have been very serious efforts by the Northern
Governors’ Forum to tackle this insecurity in northern Nigeria.”
Governors’ Forum to tackle this insecurity in northern Nigeria.”
The governor appealed to those behind the insurgency, noting that
there nation can progress without peace and stability.
there nation can progress without peace and stability.
“We need peace and all hands be on deck. Those who are aggrieved
for one reason or the other should come forward and be able to resolve this
crisis such that our nation and our people can progress and develop rapidly,”
he said.
for one reason or the other should come forward and be able to resolve this
crisis such that our nation and our people can progress and develop rapidly,”
he said.
Source:
Guardian
Guardian
