The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has said it will be an act of wickedness, if President Goodluck Jonathan declares amnesty for Boko Haram.
Oritsejafor said the pardon could only be granted when members of the sect admitted their wrongdoings. He queried what would be the fate of the victims of the sect’s insurgencies, should its members be allowed to escape prosecution.
While addressing journalists at the 80th birthday ceremony of the President, Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola, in Lagos, the CAN president warned that Jonathan should not toy with the future of Nigeria by trading off its security on the altar of politics.
He said, “I don’t know his ambition for second term because I am not a politician; I am a pastor. But that (amnesty) would be wicked. I don’t see why he would have to do that and I don’t see why he would have to consider that because we are facing a very serious situation in Nigeria.
“Let us not turn this situation into politics. Let’s face it for what it is. The security of the people is the number one responsibility of the President. And I think at this point, Jonathan must wake up and just face it and do what he has to do. But these people who are putting pressure on him left and right, may God help them and deliver Nigeria from their hands. Nigeria I believe would be safe.”
He said the claim that poverty was the cause of the insurgency was not true. He queried where the sect got funds to acquire weapons and why it attacked churches and schools. He added that those who made the claim might have connections with the sect.
He argued that the insurgency should not be likened to Niger Delta militancy. According to him, the Niger Delta militants fought for their neglect and survival. He added that their leaders came to the public to make their grievances known.
“The reality is that you cannot equate those two instances. How many mosques were burnt in Warri or Port Harcourt? Can you tell me one? Young boys didn’t come on the streets to start shooting and killing people in the market. I’m from Warri, the Central Mosque is in the centre of our town. It has been there all these years. Nobody touched it.”
He said northern leaders should have emulated South-South leaders by identifying leaders of the sect and leading them to Jonathan to seek amnesty. He said the amnesty, if declared, would be like putting the cart before the horse.
The CAN boss carpeted Sheikh Abubakar Gumi over his Facebook comment on Jesus Christ. He called on the government to call the Islamic scholar and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai, to order over their alleged incitements.
Gumi had reportedly said in the post that Jesus did not die after his crucifixion but only went into coma.
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Pls tell them pastor.
ReplyDeleteWhat of the families of those that have lost their lives, those that have been injured, those whose lived have been destroyed by bokoharam?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the government doing for them?
Hmmm! I saw it coming! Pastor u mentioned whoever said is poverty he has a link with th boko haram sect. Bill cliton, Hilary clinton and some prominent people made mentioned that. My question here is that, are they also members of the Sect? U goota answer that Q. And for Jesus(AS) u ve to explain to the teaming populace on which circustances Jesus died not odering FG to arrest someone.
ReplyDeletePls think b4 u speak mr. Man
DeleteI will like to remind Oritsejafor that as a CAN President, he has not been fair enough to the family of dose victims harmed by d so called Bokoharam. If he has a better way of bringing dese hoodlums to justice, why dnt he suggest it to the president all htese while, does he want them to continue wasting Inocent lives as the governmesnt cannt curb them via violence? Please, if amnesty is the solution, let him keep shot and allow govenment to grant it so we can have our peace. if he has problem with Gunmi and El- Rufai, take them to court and dnt involve government in it Or is it the president that send them? Please I am tired of bomb blast in Nigeria, let peace be given a chance.
ReplyDeleteGod is watching....mark my word...there's a huge revolution that is coming, that would consume the entire north and islam in Nigeria... No man can destroy the temple of God and go free! No amnesty for Boko Haram!!!!! No way!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless u sir
DeleteOnly an insane person will think that this amnesty for boko haram will restore peace in Nigeria. President Jonathan should not be fooled, these northerners have secret agenda. I pray Jonathan will not make wrong decision this time around again. Amnesty to these bastards will spell doom to this country!
ReplyDeleteMy dear pastor, if you have any solution that is more efficient than the proposed amnesty for boko haram, say it so that Christians and Muslims in the north will have peace again but sitting out there going against all suggestions to curtail the problem without giving solutions to solve it is disservice to both religions
ReplyDeleteCAN president has always been found in controversies. He is a religious leader who is always involved in politics. Maybe he is happy innocent citizens are dying for no just cause. I think he should be mindful of what he says in media especially when he incites crises. And let me remind him that GEJ is everyone's president and not just for the chriastians alone.
ReplyDeletePastor Oritsejafor, God bless You for being a voice to the Christians in Nigeria.
ReplyDeletethe president is about to be tricked and he should not fall to it.
The Northern leaders should take responsibility for creating book haram to kill innocent Nigerians, the question is what are the Boko Haram fihting for? Please president Goodluck don't consider that wicked, satanic and evil demand, it will encourage crime and criminality.
What is BH fightimg for? It wants to turn Nigeia to an islamic state, say western education is a sin, if govt grants them amnesty has some ppel are calling for will BH turn around on what it is fighting for.
ReplyDeleteIf it does it means all this bombing and killing is all for money.
Jona think very well before you act.
May God save Nigeria.
Islam will reign 4ever. No revolution,no matter how,would consume it. Proudly muslim. Peace.@legacy.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a group of people as deceitful as some Nigerian. They are the most "religious" but shied away from the ideals of the so called religions and threw values into the trash bins. I am sure that God, in His infinite mercy, will reward each and every one of us according to our deeds no matter whichever faith you profess to believe in. God is not like Man and will never be, try and be good to your neighbors, period.
ReplyDeleteIslam is not the only religion in the world but why is it that islam is the only religion causing problem here and there particularly in Nigeria
ReplyDelete.Revolution shall surely consume it cos itis a religion of war not peace
Do you grant amnesty to someone who do not show any sign of repentance? Boko Haram members must first of all release a statement of ceasefire and call for dialogue before amnesty could be initiated.It will be immaturity on the part of president to start initiating amnesty programme when the terrorists have not shown any sign of remorse.
ReplyDeleteI want to ask this question. How many people have been successfully convicted of terrorism?