The Federal Government on Wednesday said it accepted to hold dialogue with the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in order to arrest insecurity in the country as soon as possible.
“We have accepted dialogue as a way of bringing the (insecurity) situation to an end as quickly as possible. We have always called on those engaging in violence to stop because violence can’t solve any problem. So we welcome the decision to dialogue,” Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, told journalists in Abuja.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has, however, warned that the government should not hold dialogue with the sect on its own terms.
Though CAN said it was ready to support any step aimed at curbing the sect’s insurgency, it opposed the government-Boko Haram talks if they centred on the condition to Islamise of the country.
The sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, was reportedly quoted to have said in a video footage that President Goodluck Jonathan should convert to Islam or resign from office.
Jonathan in a statement by his spokesman, Reuben Abati, had rebuffed the condition, saying he had the legitimate mandate of the people, both Christians and Muslims, hence he could not resign.
The Voice of America had reported on Tuesday that a purported spokesman for Boko Haram, one Habu Mohammed, said the group had the Fedral Governement in direct talks on ways to end violence in the North.
According to the VOA, Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to Boko Haram leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, said in a statement that the group decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country.
The VOA said a senior Nigerian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the talks to VOA.
Maku, while not denying that talks with the violent sect had commenced, claimed that the government also heard Mohammed’s claim on the radio.
Our correspondent reports that the minister might have refrained from confirming the talks in order not to stall its progress. Recent talks between government and the sect had broken down after they were reported. Northern clerics who facilitated these meetings had accused government of breaching an understanding reached by both parties that the talks should be kept secret.
He said, “We have heard about the news. The position of government from the beginning has been that we are prepared to negotiate and hold dialogue with members of this group because we believe they are Nigerians and they are our children.
“It is a known fact that violence has disrupted social and economic activities in some parts of Northern Nigeria.
“We have accepted dialogue as a way of bringing the situation to an end as quickly as possible.
“We have always called on those engaging in violence to stop because violence can’t solve any problem. So we welcome the decision to hold dialogue.”
“President Goodluck Jonathan told Reuters in an interview early this year that if the Boko Haram people clearly identify themselves and say ‘this is the reason we are resisting and confronting government, killing people and destroying property, there will be a basis for dialogue.’ Has this condition been met
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It will be misery to dialogue with terrorist,south south militant carry out their struggle with objective N a clear aim,attacking government properties,kidnaping foreign expertrait,N goverment officials.While this Political motivated Boko Haram,kill innocent Children N women,attack primary N secondary schools,attack market women,attack GOD worshipers.Nigerianse love peace but I want to say here that some case call for complete fire for fire.I know that the government are doing this so that they will not be held responsible for innocent death by people who don't understand the word terrorist.why there is no outbreake of civil war yet is becouse this set of criminals (BH)are yet to get to sauth,but nigerians must not be too comfortable becouse there is a plot to do that.in 2006 I told some people what the north can do,today they are showing nigerians what they can do.you will be stupid if you think northarn leaders are not behind this,my candid advice to my fellow southernance love me or hate me,We prepare for war when there is peace,not when there is war.exspect the worst from the north N U will not be taken unaware.I serve in Borno state,I did further programme there (PGDE)even the learned northaners are the worst of them all.I have arried out research on southerners N northarners,N I want to tell you southarners the worst thing that has happen to the south is amagamation (1914).May the GOD I serve have mercy on me. I have written this not to make you comfortable.but to prepare U,for we worship a GOD of preparetion,isrealit those who move with GOD to their promise land fought all the way,don't exspect peace from the North.
ReplyDeleteIts so funny,we have the niger dalter(MEND) now boko haram,which we come next
ReplyDeleteGood talk Emex. You've said it correctly. And I also believe that now is the time to crush everything that stands for Bokoharam. Many lives have been lost as a result of the insurgency of this group; furthermore we cannot guarantee that they wouldn't strike again in probably a few years time. Let dialogue be set ablaze!
ReplyDeleteThe propose time by hilarious Clinton for disintegration of country Nigeria is near and is real Amex you are very right am actualing holding on my project in Abuja , cos the first thing to blow up is the niger beige . But we the the christian can not move cos our believe and faith limit us. Let my brother be prepared . Is time for the Black Axe, and all other cultis to use their power against the real enimy and not the brother that look at their girl frend.
ReplyDeletePeace to all in jesus name
please!!!
ReplyDeletedont pray for war in Nigeria
dont forget 1914
we better separate instead of war
God have mercy Nigeria
time will come when it will be dawn
ReplyDeletetime will come when sound of explosion will seize
time will come when u will mirrow your work
time has come to seek God with all rigtousness for we will soon be raptured.
the brethren of old did not fight war when they were pesecuted rether they pray harder.
this world will soon end and every one will be paid according to his/her work
There is no basis for dialogue with this group. It will never ever work, because they are driven by forces beyond them. Ignorance is suffocating and destructive.
ReplyDelete@ Emex.
ReplyDeleteHow drunk are u before writing this crap. How prepared can you be? Its half educated drunks like you that poisoned the president's mind against the north. Now that he has regained his senses u still want to turn south against the north. May any war that you preach for start right from your community!
The gov can not dialuoge wiht faceless poeple, let them come out and let the nigerian poeple kwon those behand them.this country belong to all of us. We don't want war rather let's go our seperate way in peace.long live fed rep of nigeria GOd Bless our country.
ReplyDeleteGod is bigger than any problem we have even if it appears impossible in human eyes and assessment. As a Christian i cannot quantify the pain and sorrow in my heart even before now over the hate and evils that our northern brother show and do to us respectively. But bros the Bible guides us to always Trust God and refer issues to Him via Honest and Faithful Prayers. Lets not changes our standard, for Vengeance in Christian Faith is God's duty. Its just time for us to appreciate sanctity, righteousness, holiness and serve God truthfully by dropping Free Thinker Philosophies of the West and learn to live out the Jesus standard. The u know what ? when any body talks of division I laugh bcos he is only talking his interest, where do u want to place John from Gombe ? Of course we have heard our brother in the east say that one concern una! and i came to agree with them. U see how the line go in Christian hood ? While Islam is one worldwide irrespective of tribe, creed, geographical setting.
ReplyDeleteIf CAN members don't want Nigeria to be Islamised, they can go ahead to christianise Nigeria. They must however take note that muslims must be given the freedom to practice Islam the way it is ordained by the Almighty Allah through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), no matter what it will take.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous August 16, 2012 11:12 AM
ReplyDeleteYour own comment is a joke. It looks like you have been living underground and don't understand what has been going on in this country. I am not in support of war and neither am I a fan of Jonathan's present government but we should call a spade a spade. BH has no bearing. They claim that they want everyone to convert to islam before there can be peace. I don't know which one you are but imposing any kind of religion on anyone is crazy.
Do you know how many people have been personally affected by the violence unleashed by BH? My friend let me tell you one thing, if you want to wish war on someone's community think for once that there are people who have nothing to lose except their lives because loved ones have been wiped off the face of the earth by these murderers. Emex's comment was somewhat biased but there is some bits of truth in it.I don't see anything wrong in calling for security alertness(which from my point is not akin to war) or do you?
GEJ, pls beware! This might be a ploy to get at you!
ReplyDeleteDis sect called boko haram has shown to all Nigerian that they did not need peace,so why showing them peace.
ReplyDeleteNigerianeye,I would really love it if you guys can recreate this platform in such a way everyone bears a name(not neccessarily his/real name)so when I need to point out some silly comments made by some people,I would mention d name instead of having to start refering to anyone as Anonymous 1,2,3 or 4...
ReplyDeleteNow,at AnonymousAugust 16, 2012 3:16 PM,God bless you for ur comment my brother..U seem to be amongst the few that knows exactly what's going on in the country..What is the basis of dialogue in the first place?These people are bloody illetrates who have no reason for the killings and bombings..They want Nigeria islamised before there can be peace...What happened to the right of freedom to follow whatever religion anyone chooses?As for CAN,the only thing they do is stay in their various offices and send notes to the government and media houses expressing their griefs...What steps have they taken to fight BH?The govt can't do it all...If we want peace,we should be prepared for war..The terms under which these BH people are willing to settle is so not possible..For the christians in the north,all I can say is for them to move out of that war zone and leave the place for the muslims and these BH people...
Human lives should be sacred , I do not think that any religion should permit the killing of innocent defenceless people and I have often heard muslims say Islam means peace . However , going by what BH is doing , it does not in any way reflect the peace muslims are talking about so I call on faithful muslims who know their religion to come out and defend it .If Islam continues to push out these terrorists all over the world , then, I see that religion suffering .With regards to holding talks with BH , it goes once more to show how clueless this government is ... you do not negotiate with terrorist for the single reason that , you do not know where the next group will spring up from and then you will be ready to negotiate again. Chikena!
ReplyDeleteHmm! hmm!! hmm!!! Look at his innocent look, this man is really the chief devil incarnate. Oh! our Good Lord have mercy on us, help and deliver us and the Nigerians.
ReplyDelete