Stop using Boko Haram to blackmail Jonathan – Activist

Abuja - Mr James Erebuoye, a
Europe-based Human Rights and
Anti-Corruption Activist, on Sunday
advised Northern Elders to stop
using Boko Haram to blackmail
President Good luck Jonathan.
Erebuoye, who gave the advice in an
interview in Abuja, however,
stressed the need to bring the
insurgency in the north to an end.
He blamed the insurgency on the
inability of the Elder Statesmen who
had led the country in the past to
economically empower the youth.
The activist said the situation had
made many of the youth to become
instruments for perpetrating
violence.
Erebuoye decried the incessant loss
of lives and property in the region,
noting that this had depleted human
resources on a daily basis.
According to him, the only solution
to the insurgency is to engage the
Elders in an intensive dialogue and
compel them “to call their boys to
order.”
He said the idea of giving amnesty
to Book Haram was not the best
solution, and advised government
not to make amnesty as a business
for some politicians.
Erebuoye cautioned the government
against indiscriminate issuing of
amnesty to “killers”, pointing out
that other parts of the country could
eventually use the amnesty as basis
for negotiating insurgencies.
He noted that amnesty could be
misunderstood as basis for
bargaining for both economic and
political recognition.
He urged the government to
explore other areas of resolving
crises in the country other than
amnesty.
“If the amnesty given to Niger Delta
militants is to be used as a
reference point to other
insurgencies, I think it is a total
misconception of the whole issue
and as such, we have gotten it
wrong.
“The people of Niger Delta had a
genuine course which is
internationally recognised, whereas
Boko Haram have not yet come out
to put their demands in such a way
that Nigerians will begin to
appreciate their plight.
“When you talk of giving amnesty,
the first thing that should come to
our mind is who are these Boko
Haram.
“Who are you going to offer
amnesty to.
“These are the kind of questions
that Nigerians have to structure
first.”
The Niger Delta born activist said
that the threats by Boko Haram
would not stop Jonathan from
recontesting in 2015, if he so
wished, adding that the group also
would not stop Nigeria from moving
forward.
Erebuoye, who is also an anti-
corruption crusader, said the
position of the president was not a
right to a particular group of people,
pointing out that Nigerians should
decide who rules the country. (NAN)