Pioneer National Chairman of the ruling People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar said yesterday in the Kaduna
that the Federal Government should distance itself from the proposed
dialogue with the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
Lar who spoke to newsmen argued that government could only dialogue with groups with identity and not a faceless organization like Boko Haram, saying “let members of the Boko Haram reveal their identities.”
The leadership Boko Haram, also known as Jama'atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, had last week named former Head of State and presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), among six prominent northerners, to mediate between it and the Federal Government.
Others named as mediators were Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno; former Yobe State governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari; and Hajia Aisha Wakil and her husband, Alkali Wakil.
The spokesman of the group, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, who doubles as the Second-in-Command (Amir) to their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau, made the group's intention known in a tele-conference with journalists in Maiduguri.
He insisted, however, that such dialogue must not take place in Nigeria, but Saudi Arabia.
In a swift reaction, the Federal Government in a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Presidential Spokesman, welcomed the move.
However, Chief Solomon Lar said was not just enough for the sect to nominate people on their behalf and refused to identify themselves.
He said, “I disagree completely (to holding dialogue with Boko Haram) unless they show their identities that Mr. X, Y, Z is Boko Haram. For them to name some people to be their representatives, who are they? They are faceless people, let them come out and reveal their identities.
“Has Gen Buhari agreed? Is Buhari their representative? Is Ali Mungonu their representative? You see, I didn’t want to mention names, but if they (Buhari and Mungonu) said yes, they are their (Boko Haram’s) representatives, we would.
“But have they agreed to represent them? Let them come out. During the Niger Delta militancy, some people came out and said they were the leaders of the militants. That was very reasonable and that was how the late President Musa Yar’adua was able to tackle the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta militants were not faceless like Boko Haram. Why didn’t Boko Haram follow the example of the militants by showing their faces?” he queried.
Lar , a former governor, also described as unfortunate the gruesome murder of Major-Gen. Muhammad Shuwa (rtd) in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital by unknown gunmen and urged the federal government to do everything possible to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.
He recalled with sadness the role played by the late General in keeping the country one during the three-year Nigerian civil war, adding that the deceased “was a national hero” who was never talked about nor recognised by various governments in the country.
“He was a hero but nobody talks about him. Government upon government never did anything to bring him up and recognize his contributions to Nigeria. Nobody sang his heroism. It is unfortunate, the government must do everything to find out those behind this unfortunate incident and bring them to justice. This is my plea,” he said.
Lar who spoke to newsmen argued that government could only dialogue with groups with identity and not a faceless organization like Boko Haram, saying “let members of the Boko Haram reveal their identities.”
The leadership Boko Haram, also known as Jama'atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, had last week named former Head of State and presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), among six prominent northerners, to mediate between it and the Federal Government.
Others named as mediators were Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno; former Yobe State governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari; and Hajia Aisha Wakil and her husband, Alkali Wakil.
The spokesman of the group, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, who doubles as the Second-in-Command (Amir) to their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau, made the group's intention known in a tele-conference with journalists in Maiduguri.
He insisted, however, that such dialogue must not take place in Nigeria, but Saudi Arabia.
In a swift reaction, the Federal Government in a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Presidential Spokesman, welcomed the move.
However, Chief Solomon Lar said was not just enough for the sect to nominate people on their behalf and refused to identify themselves.
He said, “I disagree completely (to holding dialogue with Boko Haram) unless they show their identities that Mr. X, Y, Z is Boko Haram. For them to name some people to be their representatives, who are they? They are faceless people, let them come out and reveal their identities.
“Has Gen Buhari agreed? Is Buhari their representative? Is Ali Mungonu their representative? You see, I didn’t want to mention names, but if they (Buhari and Mungonu) said yes, they are their (Boko Haram’s) representatives, we would.
“But have they agreed to represent them? Let them come out. During the Niger Delta militancy, some people came out and said they were the leaders of the militants. That was very reasonable and that was how the late President Musa Yar’adua was able to tackle the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta militants were not faceless like Boko Haram. Why didn’t Boko Haram follow the example of the militants by showing their faces?” he queried.
Lar , a former governor, also described as unfortunate the gruesome murder of Major-Gen. Muhammad Shuwa (rtd) in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital by unknown gunmen and urged the federal government to do everything possible to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.
He recalled with sadness the role played by the late General in keeping the country one during the three-year Nigerian civil war, adding that the deceased “was a national hero” who was never talked about nor recognised by various governments in the country.
“He was a hero but nobody talks about him. Government upon government never did anything to bring him up and recognize his contributions to Nigeria. Nobody sang his heroism. It is unfortunate, the government must do everything to find out those behind this unfortunate incident and bring them to justice. This is my plea,” he said.
Buhari not fit to negotiate for the sect,
says Fasehun
For a successful and acceptable result, the Presidency has been warned never to involve former Military Head of State and Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhamudu Buhari in its negotiation with the dreaded Islamic.
Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasheun gave the warning while speaking with Journalists in Ile-Ife, Osun state at the weekend during the maiden edition of the Oba Okunade Sijuwade annual lecture and distinguished award series organized by the Ife Business School.
According to him, if the government wants an end to terrorism in Nigeria, Buhari cannot be the best candidate to negotiate on behalf of Nigerians or the Federal government because of his grouse with the present administration.
Describing the decision of Boko Haram to negotiate with the Federal Government as a welcome development, the OPC leader stressed that the personality of Buhari in the negotiating team would further aggravate problem in the country.
According to Fasheun, who was the chairman of the occasion, Buhari could not represent the interest of the government and Nigerians well in the committee as he has a grouse with the federal government over his defeat by President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election.
His words: “Buhari has a grouse with the present era for not making him willy nilly the president of the nation”.
He advised the Federal Government to set up a formidable team comprising of responsible Nigerians to dialogue with the sect if the government wants an end to terrorism and insecurity in the country, adding that the government should be civilized in its discussion with the sect members to ensure absolute peace in the land.
Speaking on the political situation in Yoruba land, the frontline activist expressed dissatisfaction with the current trend of events in Yoruba land and suggested that a viable person be chosen as the leader of the race through a collegiate system, saying this would bring about progress in Yoruba land.
He said “The leadership of Yoruba nation is not the best. We are wanting at the leadership level and that is why we are being marginalized left, right and centre.
Leadership is very important in the life of any people or group. It is because Yoruba people cannot have one person as a leader that the powers that be broke Yoruba into pieces because they know that if we are one, it will be terrible for them,” Fasehun stressed.
In his keynote address at the event, Professor Bola Akinterinwa stressed the need to spell out roles for traditional rulers in the on-going constitution amendment adding that traditional institution is the closest to the people.
According to him, being the custodian of people’s culture and tradition, traditional rulers should be accorded the respect they deserve.
For a successful and acceptable result, the Presidency has been warned never to involve former Military Head of State and Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhamudu Buhari in its negotiation with the dreaded Islamic.
Founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasheun gave the warning while speaking with Journalists in Ile-Ife, Osun state at the weekend during the maiden edition of the Oba Okunade Sijuwade annual lecture and distinguished award series organized by the Ife Business School.
According to him, if the government wants an end to terrorism in Nigeria, Buhari cannot be the best candidate to negotiate on behalf of Nigerians or the Federal government because of his grouse with the present administration.
Describing the decision of Boko Haram to negotiate with the Federal Government as a welcome development, the OPC leader stressed that the personality of Buhari in the negotiating team would further aggravate problem in the country.
According to Fasheun, who was the chairman of the occasion, Buhari could not represent the interest of the government and Nigerians well in the committee as he has a grouse with the federal government over his defeat by President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election.
His words: “Buhari has a grouse with the present era for not making him willy nilly the president of the nation”.
He advised the Federal Government to set up a formidable team comprising of responsible Nigerians to dialogue with the sect if the government wants an end to terrorism and insecurity in the country, adding that the government should be civilized in its discussion with the sect members to ensure absolute peace in the land.
Speaking on the political situation in Yoruba land, the frontline activist expressed dissatisfaction with the current trend of events in Yoruba land and suggested that a viable person be chosen as the leader of the race through a collegiate system, saying this would bring about progress in Yoruba land.
He said “The leadership of Yoruba nation is not the best. We are wanting at the leadership level and that is why we are being marginalized left, right and centre.
Leadership is very important in the life of any people or group. It is because Yoruba people cannot have one person as a leader that the powers that be broke Yoruba into pieces because they know that if we are one, it will be terrible for them,” Fasehun stressed.
In his keynote address at the event, Professor Bola Akinterinwa stressed the need to spell out roles for traditional rulers in the on-going constitution amendment adding that traditional institution is the closest to the people.
According to him, being the custodian of people’s culture and tradition, traditional rulers should be accorded the respect they deserve.
Gunmen storm police station, kill two
Two people were killed in an attack by gunmen who stormed a police station and vandalized a few public properties in Fika, a few kilometers away from Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, a security source said yesterday.
A police inspector and another police woman on duty were casualties of the early morning attack in the police station located near a public primary school, according to a top police officer who craved anonymity.
“Explosives were thrown at the police station before the sporadic shooting in the area. The police station was razed and a few public properties were gutted by fire,” the source said.
Gunshots and the blasts which shook the area for a few minutes had sent shivers down the spine of most residents, before the arrival of some military officers who later cordoned off the area, the source added.
Spokesperson of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State Lazarus Eli confirmed the attack, but could not ascertain the casualty figures.
“We were informed of an attack in the area and our officers were immediately deployed to restore order, but I cannot say for now if there was any death recorded, although some public properties were destroyed by the hoodlums,” he said, adding that the media would be later addressed on the incident if the need arises.
According to the military officer, normalcy has since returned to the area.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the police station attack, Yobe State is a Boko Haram flashpoint, where the Nigerian government had declared and lifted some curfews due to wave of attacks.
Two people were killed in an attack by gunmen who stormed a police station and vandalized a few public properties in Fika, a few kilometers away from Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, a security source said yesterday.
A police inspector and another police woman on duty were casualties of the early morning attack in the police station located near a public primary school, according to a top police officer who craved anonymity.
“Explosives were thrown at the police station before the sporadic shooting in the area. The police station was razed and a few public properties were gutted by fire,” the source said.
Gunshots and the blasts which shook the area for a few minutes had sent shivers down the spine of most residents, before the arrival of some military officers who later cordoned off the area, the source added.
Spokesperson of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State Lazarus Eli confirmed the attack, but could not ascertain the casualty figures.
“We were informed of an attack in the area and our officers were immediately deployed to restore order, but I cannot say for now if there was any death recorded, although some public properties were destroyed by the hoodlums,” he said, adding that the media would be later addressed on the incident if the need arises.
According to the military officer, normalcy has since returned to the area.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the police station attack, Yobe State is a Boko Haram flashpoint, where the Nigerian government had declared and lifted some curfews due to wave of attacks.
Security beef up in Jigawa capital as
President visits
As President Goodluck Jonathan begins a two-day state visit to Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, today, security has been beefed up in all strategic locations, within the state capital to ensure a hitch-free and successful visit
Apart from drafting special anti-riot Police and terrorist squads from Enugu and Kaduna states to strategic locations within the state capital, there is huge security presence in and around the state capital.
Also, security operatives have increased vehicular patrol in and around the state capital to ensure a crime-free visit, just as the state capital is also wearing a new look, adorned with beautiful flowers, particularly at round-abouts within the state capital.
All the strategic streets have undergone environmental sanitation, all in readiness for the President’s historic visit, which will at the close of the day usher in economic prosperity to the state.
During the two-day visit, Jonathan is expected to commission various projects executed by the state government, prominent among which is the laying of the foundation stone of Dutse Airport, as well as the Jigawa State College for Advanced and Remedial Studies.
Other projects include the new Secretariat complex, NYSC camp, which would be named after a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Sports Center, as well as Jigawa State College for the gifted and talented.
The state Commissioner of Police, Theophius Kayode, said: “We are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that President Jonathan’s visit is hitch-free”.
Our correspondent observed that most of strategic areas in the state that the president will visit have been condoned off by the armed policemen and soldiers to ensure hitch free visit.
The Director of Press to the Governor, Malam Umar Kyari said that arrangements have been concluded for the visit, pointing out that the airport is estimated to cost the state government about N5 billion and is expected to become a gate way of opening new windows of business opportunities for both local and international investors.
Among activities lined up to welcome the President today, according to Kyari include a grand Durbar ceremony in Hadejia to be organised by the Emir of Hadeja who is also the chairman of the state council of Emirs.
According to Kyari, “The President will hold community discussion with stakeholders of the state and people from other parts of the country”.
“Mr. President will also commission other development projects executed by the Lamido-led administration and the visit will enable the people of the state to meet with the president”.
He explained that President Jonathan's visit to the state would attract positive developments, adding that the people are eager to receive him.
As President Goodluck Jonathan begins a two-day state visit to Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, today, security has been beefed up in all strategic locations, within the state capital to ensure a hitch-free and successful visit
Apart from drafting special anti-riot Police and terrorist squads from Enugu and Kaduna states to strategic locations within the state capital, there is huge security presence in and around the state capital.
Also, security operatives have increased vehicular patrol in and around the state capital to ensure a crime-free visit, just as the state capital is also wearing a new look, adorned with beautiful flowers, particularly at round-abouts within the state capital.
All the strategic streets have undergone environmental sanitation, all in readiness for the President’s historic visit, which will at the close of the day usher in economic prosperity to the state.
During the two-day visit, Jonathan is expected to commission various projects executed by the state government, prominent among which is the laying of the foundation stone of Dutse Airport, as well as the Jigawa State College for Advanced and Remedial Studies.
Other projects include the new Secretariat complex, NYSC camp, which would be named after a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Sports Center, as well as Jigawa State College for the gifted and talented.
The state Commissioner of Police, Theophius Kayode, said: “We are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that President Jonathan’s visit is hitch-free”.
Our correspondent observed that most of strategic areas in the state that the president will visit have been condoned off by the armed policemen and soldiers to ensure hitch free visit.
The Director of Press to the Governor, Malam Umar Kyari said that arrangements have been concluded for the visit, pointing out that the airport is estimated to cost the state government about N5 billion and is expected to become a gate way of opening new windows of business opportunities for both local and international investors.
Among activities lined up to welcome the President today, according to Kyari include a grand Durbar ceremony in Hadejia to be organised by the Emir of Hadeja who is also the chairman of the state council of Emirs.
According to Kyari, “The President will hold community discussion with stakeholders of the state and people from other parts of the country”.
“Mr. President will also commission other development projects executed by the Lamido-led administration and the visit will enable the people of the state to meet with the president”.
He explained that President Jonathan's visit to the state would attract positive developments, adding that the people are eager to receive him.
The Compass
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