A new plan by President Goodluck Jonathan to grant amnesty to
members of the violent Boko Haram sect has upset Nigeria’s military chiefs.
members of the violent Boko Haram sect has upset Nigeria’s military chiefs.
Sources
at the Presidential Villa, where the military brass met with the President for
several hours today, said they tried in vain to convince Mr. Jonathan not to
fall into the trap that has been set for him by prominent northern leaders on
the issue.
at the Presidential Villa, where the military brass met with the President for
several hours today, said they tried in vain to convince Mr. Jonathan not to
fall into the trap that has been set for him by prominent northern leaders on
the issue.
They
were said to have told him the security implications of the action and that it
could also be interpreted to mean that the President is not a man of his
word. Mr. Jonathan has flip-flopped on federal policy against Boko Haram
since he took office in 2010.
were said to have told him the security implications of the action and that it
could also be interpreted to mean that the President is not a man of his
word. Mr. Jonathan has flip-flopped on federal policy against Boko Haram
since he took office in 2010.
The
military bosses reminded him of his words when he visited Borno State a few
weeks ago when he said that there was no way he would grant amnesty to ghosts,
stressing that nothing has changed. Mr. Jonathan once said there were
members of Boko Haram in his government, but it is not clear if they are still
ghosts or he has identified them.
military bosses reminded him of his words when he visited Borno State a few
weeks ago when he said that there was no way he would grant amnesty to ghosts,
stressing that nothing has changed. Mr. Jonathan once said there were
members of Boko Haram in his government, but it is not clear if they are still
ghosts or he has identified them.
He
was also said to have been reminded that many of their men and other security
officers have been indiscriminately killed, warning him that telling the rank
and file the decision on amnesty could ignite anger in the barracks.
was also said to have been reminded that many of their men and other security
officers have been indiscriminately killed, warning him that telling the rank
and file the decision on amnesty could ignite anger in the barracks.
At
the end of the lengthy discussion, which lasted for five hours, the President
had his way against the genuine advice of the military chiefs, except
one. He set up a committee to handle the issue of amnesty.
the end of the lengthy discussion, which lasted for five hours, the President
had his way against the genuine advice of the military chiefs, except
one. He set up a committee to handle the issue of amnesty.
The
committee, whose members are yet to be announced, is to work with the office of
the National Security Adviser.
committee, whose members are yet to be announced, is to work with the office of
the National Security Adviser.
A
Presidential source said that the committee will consider the feasibility or
otherwise of granting pardon to the Boko Haram members and collate the views of
those clamouring for amnesty, as well as recommend modalities for the granting
of pardon should such a policy be adopted.
Presidential source said that the committee will consider the feasibility or
otherwise of granting pardon to the Boko Haram members and collate the views of
those clamouring for amnesty, as well as recommend modalities for the granting
of pardon should such a policy be adopted.
President
Jonathan seems to have adopted the argument of the northern elements after
meeting with some of their prominent members in Abuja on Wednesday
night. Although today he seem highly disposed to the amnesty idea,
he is known to change his mind fairly easily.
Jonathan seems to have adopted the argument of the northern elements after
meeting with some of their prominent members in Abuja on Wednesday
night. Although today he seem highly disposed to the amnesty idea,
he is known to change his mind fairly easily.
Source: Sahara Reportres
