Congress for Progressive Change has advised
former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to reject his
nomination by the Boko Haram sect as a mediator in its proposed negotiations
with the Federal Government.
The National Chairman of the party, Prince Tony
Momoh, gave the advice on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with the News
Agency of Nigeria.
Momoh said, “There is no need for any other
person to attend a meeting between the Federal Government and Boko Haram for
whatever grievances they say they have.
“We in the CPC do not see where Buhari comes in.
We are concerned by the way the name of Buhari is being dragged into this
affair.
“Another thing is that nobody reached out to
Buhari to say he has been nominated or is being nominated along with others, to
mediate or be witnesses to discussion between Boko Haram and the Federal
Government.”
Momoh said Buhari had not told anybody or the
party that he was interested in the nomination.
The national chairman maintained that the
CPC would not associate with issues that involved criminality.
He said it was important for the government
to maintain “true democracy” by providing adequate security and welfare for the
citizens.
“We believe in one country which must remain
together and move together in the direction of peace, justice and fair play,’’
Momoh said.
Meanwhile, the International Society for Social
Justice and Human Rights has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to insist
that any negotiation between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect
should hold in Nigeria, not Saudi Arabia.
Chancellor of the group, Chief Jackson Omenazu,
said such condition would be an insult to Nigeria and Jonathan, insisting that
such negotiation should hold in Aso Rock or the National Assembly.
Omenazu, who spoke with The PUNCH on
Tuesday in Port Harcourt, queried the rationale behind the country chosen by
members of Boko Haram for the negotiation.
He said, “Telling Mr. President to come to Saudi
Arabia to negotiate with them (Boko Haram) is an insult to the country. We are
talking about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The late former President Umaru Yar’Adua did not
travel to Jerusalem to discuss with the Niger Delta agitators. So, why would
Boko Haram choose Saudi Arabia as a venue for discussion? Going to Saudi Arabia
is completely out of the way and I don’t think any meaningful government will
accept such condition.”
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