Northern elders on Thursday broke their silence on the slamming of state of emergency in three of their states, describing the action of President Goodluck Jonathan as an indirect declaration of war on the Northern part of Nigeria.
The President’s action, which took the northern elders by surprise, is coming barely three weeks after Jonathan accepted a roadmap from the NEF on how to end the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the north.
The elders had successfully impressed upon the Presidency to raise the Boko Haram committee to dialogue with the sect with a view to restoring elusive peace to the region. Jonathan, who met with the NEF leadership in Abuja in April, subsequently inaugurated the Turaki-led BH committee with a mandate to broker peace with the sect and compensate their victims within a two-month timeframe.
However, shortly after inaugurating the panel, the sect leadership rejected the amnesty offer, saying that it is the government that should seek amnesty for having killed its Muslim brothers across the country.
But a spokesman for the NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, who relayed the position of the group on Thursday, told a source that they were disappointed by the sudden change of tactic by Jonathan on how to resolve the crisis in the north.
They also said the action had effectively ended the proposed amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.
In separate interviews with our
correspondents, in Abuja, on Thursday, Spokesperson of the Northern
Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi and Dr. Junaid Mohammed described the
President’s action as counter-productive.
Abdullahi said, “The states have always been in a state of emergency in the states that were announced the other day.
“The states have always been occupied by
soldiers anyway; I think this measure is just a formality. From all
indications, those areas that have been announced as coming under the
emergency, except Adamawa, Yobe and Borno, have always been practically
under the state of emergency.
“Our own interpretation of the crisis
and amnesty or reconciliation committee, the surprise here is that the
committee has not even been allowed to start serious work before their
undermining because you can’t have the two together.
“You can’t have war while you are
talking about peace and this is what we have on the ground now. We have
this war and dialogue; I don’t know which one will succeed.”
ll;
According to him, if allegations that
members of the sect have taken over a part of Borno State are true, it
is a demonstration of the failure of the state.
He said, “If it is true that this has
happened it is the failure of the previous military effort against their
activities. It remains to be seen whether the intensification of the
military effort will succeed in an area where they failed before.
“It remains to be seen whether this is a
good strategy but from all rational analysis, it is ill timed, and ill
advised because if the President was thinking of a state of emergency,
he would have refrained from agreeing to set up this amnesty or
reconciliation committee and concentrate on the war effort.
“To me, the work of the amnesty committee is practically terminated and we will wait for the outcome of the war.”
He explained that, “I cannot see how
this will go together when you are more or less pursuing the same people
that you want to come forward to discuss with you.”
Abdullahi insisted that there was no military solution to the insurgency as such dialogue remain the best option.
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Now we truly know that the Northan elders are the real sponsers of Boko haram. They are now finding ways of getting money from FG. SHame
ReplyDeleteThese northern feudal oligarchs don't even realise the game is over for them if they care about the masses in the north. They bit the hand that has been feeding them for decades and turned on the middle belt that used to back them
ReplyDeleteNever dialogue with terrorists!! Who are these so called northern elders? I'm a northerner and they certainly do not represent my view on the issue. It really annoys me when they use the 'northerners' and 'muslims' interchangeably. What exactly do you mean the president is declaring war on the north? Is he attacking the civilians? Is he even attacking the 'north's' military? What do they mean by 'killing their muslim brothers all over the country'? Are they admitting that boko haram members are indeed muslim and are following the teachings of the Quran?
ReplyDeleteThink before you talk.rescal
ReplyDeleteThink before you talk.Shame for u
ReplyDeleteThink before you talk.rescal
ReplyDeleteExactly!shameless Old fools..They are the Boko Haram,Now we Can see the Real Boko harams.God will Punish them For All the Mayem they have Caused especially Buhari
ReplyDeleteWhere were d so called "elders " when their pet BH declared war on Nigeria
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame....northern elders indeed, tbese are the words of a mentally deranged child.
ReplyDeleteOld fool they Are talkin nw, they need money for armnesty barayi . Northern fool. Go and have it. Armnesty to ghost. Finish them in borno. Thank you my Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteU niccurs should just shushhhh
ReplyDeleteNorthern elder dey are d one responsible for boko harams,god go punish all,sice dem not care for d
ReplyDeleteHungry,twisted minded criminals,this have stoped the process were their can still more money to fund there pets BH,thiefs,which muslim brothers? Is it the fulani's these old cargos are the boko haram.....
ReplyDeleteThe "Northern Elders" are entitled to their opinion and it will be fool hardy to think they speak for the entire north, every man has a mind of his own even if he does not have access to reporters.
ReplyDeleteOne hopes that all tribalistic sentiments will eventually give way in our march towards national integration.
So either the northern masses don't have a voice or just don't think because we never hear them contradict the views of the their feudal oligarch leaders. There is something so inherently different between us and these northerners that as everyday that goes by I wonder why we are forcing ourselves to be in the same country. I am sure that if not for the oil they would have pushed to form their own country or join Niger or Chad. If the oil was in the south we would have been dooooomed!
Deletethere is always peace after war, so let the nutty elders wait and see.
ReplyDeleteBoko Haram rejected peace, wht else do u expect? Rejecting peace is giving war a chance
ReplyDeleteIf they feel it is war then they should fight back. It is only when there is war that one talk of peace. Therefore, if they feel so, let them initiate the process. The President has been patient enough. God will judge!
ReplyDeleteFollow them bumper to bumper!
ReplyDeleteme, i dont believe in so called "marketable politicians" as northern leaders, rather northern looters. the actual northern leaders come in to politics to serve not to be served,to give not to take,irrespective of tribe or religion.
ReplyDeleteWhere are they were BH are killed many people . They are BH if they say anything to FG again, Fg will face them
ReplyDeleteIt is now clear that the so called Northern Elders are the brain behind the BOKO Harams. No wonder they talked about amnesty-just to fleece out money from the Federal Govt. So, all these mayhem by Boko Harams means nothing to them. They dont want BokO Harams to be killed but they want Boko Harams to be kiiling people and be destroying properties. It will not work for them.
ReplyDeleteYou brought war on Nigeria, we met you with war, what it your problem again? Let's meet at the battle field.
ReplyDeleteThese are not true elders. †нє North should look for true leaders to be their elders before these actor politicians disrupt †нє Nation.
ReplyDeleteThese are not true leaders. They are there for their selfish gains at †нє expense of †нє masses. They are actually †нє elders/leaders of †нє boko harams and not †нє north.
ReplyDeletethese northern RAMS called elders should be called to order OR
ReplyDeleteWhat is this....so its been good that 200 christians go to their places of worship, and only 50 come back, and with injuries? or why do the muslims see their lives more sacred than another...? Northern Elders, abi Children, answer me...
ReplyDeleteHmmmm now Nigerian can now see d B/H dis ppl called themselves northern Elder, I know dat is not all d members re B/H but 90% of dem re B/H. for dis reason if dey say is war yes is war against them bcuz, no money for dem in d name of amnesty. Let Nigerian see what dey will do
ReplyDeleteThe President initially gave the BH a dialogue option (amnesty). Boko Haram threw the dialogue option to the Govt.'S face.
ReplyDeleteNow he has taken action. This stupid & senseless Northern Elders are now begining to talk. Were they not there wen d amnesty offer was made. Couldn't they have gone to persuade the BH. I mean. What is their use if they cannot call their BH brothers to order.
Bullshit. Later, they'll say the president is weak & slow. State of Emergency carry on.
At this outburst from the northern elders (which i know is a constitution of a few inconsequential opportunists that parade themselves as the leader of the poor and poor fellow Nigerian of the norther region), it is apparent that the problem of insecurity and Boko Haram insurgency was their tool to distabilise the country and a decoy to discredit the Jonathan Administration.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately all the other politician in elective offices think the blame is on Jonathan only
Please tell them, and let them know today that, yes Jonathan may be holding the upper office, all politicians are part of the blames and credit that might be accredited to the regime. This is because their services to their mandators is constitutionally under Jonathan's administration.
It is also obvious now that the northern elders which ought to use domestic issues and issues that grossly affect a large proportion of the populace, such as eradification of poverty, free education, enhanced agriculture, free health provison, improved housing, masses empowerment etc to score their political point and the good will of the people are using religion as political tools. this is grossly unfortunate
What i can only add now is that, they should remember that if the initiate or support schemes and violence that project them, the same will fight against them sonner or later
I kindly impoy our fathers in the north i.e. traditional rulers, to do everything they can to see to peace and unity of our existence as a country Nigeria
Now that the wind is blowing, we can all see the nyash of the fowl. God will surely punish all the culpable Northern Elders who are bent on benefitting from the blood of the innocent by fanning the ember of violence for their selfish aim. The soalled Elders have no single interest of the masses at heart but are bent on the billions of naira they hope to get from the FG in the name of pacifying the BH group. Their greed is just too obvious. Can you imagine a situation where a group said that they dont need amnesty and yet those rogues insisted that FG should go ahead with the amnesty. Lets assume that FG agrees to give amnesty now without monetary measures, all the elders will back out of the team. Bunch of blood thirsty barawos!
ReplyDeleteNorthern elders are the real members of bokoharam, they are now pleading for the amnesty no way again, well done GEJ.
ReplyDeleteThis is a big joke from Northern Leaders. Fed govt/Nigeria wanted peace, they agreed to give Amnesty, yet BH rejected the offer. what more do the Northern leaders want. To be BEGGED????
ReplyDeleteGEJ, We are in support, for there can never be peace without war. Time shall tell and expose all the BH patrons and financiers amongst the Northern leaders. What a shame...
THE HEART OF THE KING IS IN THE HAND OF GOD.. GEJ MIGHT BE WEAK BUT GOD CAN USE HIM TO AVENG THE DEATH OF THE INNOCENTS.
ReplyDeleteIt still remains dat Jonathan is a clueless and weak leader, he doesn't seems to hv a brain of his own, that is why he can never b consistent. Am sure he (Jonathan) is now waiting for the next order either frm Asari Dokubo or.....
ReplyDeleteYou brainless, idiot what do you know? It shows that you are from north, whatever military will suceed.
DeleteOH lord my God Help Nigerians but who ever have a hand in this mess be it Elders or politicians i cant say, Oh lord expose them through this state of emergency and give victory to the Force deployed as they have children and then have been sent for war, Bring them back safely after success and let non of them loose their life. As feroh held the children of Israel captive and God hardened his heart so he can be destroyed so God you hardened the heart of BOKO HARAM not to accept amnesty so that they can be destroyed with their sponsors for what ever a man sow, he shall reap. Oh Lord my God, protect the lives of civilians in the north and give our President a divine direction to lead us In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!!!.
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------
Please you all should pray for this country bcos too much talk cant bring solution. The Muslim are peaceful if you have lived with them before but there are those who misinterpret the word for then to carry out terror and fulfil their selfish need. Don't border, i am a real Christian from Igbo land nwane. Indeed the problem happening all over the world are cause by those who call them selves Muslim(extremist). My traveling has thought me many lessons in life. The Muslim need to come out and give good teachings on television each day so when these BH watch then, they know they are on the wrong path. I pray for peace in Nigeria and we shall not loose any life any longer.
Prof, dont forget that you were the genesis of killing students on campus in 1985 in ABU by the use of the gun. Please shut up! U are representing yourself and ur clicks and NOT the North
ReplyDeleteThe Military WILL surely succeed to your SHAME!
Boko Haram did not hide their mission against Nigeria and Nigerians, they have rejected Amnesty, WHY are u talking of Amnesty? and with WHO? These are rebellious "WILD ANIMALS" in human form and they must be treated as such.
May our Military succeed in this important National cleansing of IDIOTS!! "Ango Must Go" down.
Now they are playing the victims after spilling the blood of innocent people.
ReplyDeleteI like the president for declaring the emergency. He would also have suspended the governors and the houses of Reps of those states affected for six months and appoint Ex- Generals as sole administrators. He swore the constitutional oath to defend the
ReplyDeleteNigerian Territory and as such cannot allow terrorists to claim part of Nigerian Territory. Northern Elders should allow the President to do His job.
These guys knew what was up (BH) from the get-go. Who do they think they are trying to fool?
ReplyDeleteGoing through tho comments gives my heart joy and gives me hope that our parents generation are the real enemies of NIgeria
ReplyDeleteI implore the youth to remain united in their stand against these northern cabal holding millions of Nigerians to ransom.
My heartfelt condolence to the poor oppressed villagers especially the christian ones that continue to suffer the wickedness of these Northern leaders.
Every sane Nigerian should curse these "elders" that have decided that their personal comfort and agenda is more important than those of the masses, every morning curse them and their generation.
United we stand!!!!
Tell these failed leaders to shut there mouth.You cannot call yourself a father while at the same time claim you don't know your children and cannot call them to order.They have disappointed the youths.They say unemployment brought about Boko haram. What brought Fulani herdsmen going all around the country and attacking people and destroying their crops even in Delta state. Is there more grazing land in the south than the north? Definitely we have fundamental issues to deal with as a country. It appears some people don't want to exist side by side with others. Nobody is above Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteThe Boko Haramists drew a battle line long ago with the masses,They av wasted the lives of innocent Citizens and sojourners, children made orphans, parents made childless, whole families wiped off! Now it's time to fight back: The hitherto faceless quiet elders of Boko Haram don't want the war they originated!. May it be unto you and your unrepentant generations in the order of Sodom and Gommorah---DESOLATION. The wicked shall know no peace...says the Holy Book.
ReplyDeleteDialogue with who, when leaders of the so called Boko haram had insultingly refused dialogue/amnesty?; why did the NEF not advised boko haram to accept dialogue/amnesty. Its like people were just waiting for an opportunity to get busy and run around doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteI am a shame of the People parading themselves as Northern Elders, solely out for their selfish interest without minding the suffering & difficulties innocent Nigerians are passing through day after day as a result of BH opn in this country. It is clear now that northern Elder fund/sponsors Boko Haran to distabilised this government, and resort to plead with F.G to grant amnesty to Boko Haran so that they can get back their funds. Unfortunately, it is not going to work that way bcos BH are Ghost, even though initially the F.G agreed but Boko haran rejected the offer and prefer to islamise Nigeria,God forbid cos the South cannot accept islam b/cos they blieve in shedding blood and bathing with blood. The only thing we are ready to accept is seccession when Northerners reject this peace move by GEJ.
ReplyDeleteWhen BH droped amnesty issue like a hot cake and intensified their distructive acts, what on earth do the Northern Elders want president Jo to do? Fold his arms and let the morons take over the entire North and carry on their acts with impunity? No this rubbish must stop one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteProf. Ango should be ashamed of himself your historical antecedent has shown that you are a wretched administrator while serving in ABU Zaria as VC. Your poverty of idea and reckless ineptitude led to the death of innocent students in ABU. Remember how we chanted you out" ANGO MUST GO" you have no noble legacy in ABU Zaria.What do u have to say heartless old man you do not represent us in the North. What have you people been doing when there is wide spread poverty in the north? Ango and his group of socalled NEF do not represent us in the North. They relish in bloodbath that's why they are against state of emergency. They sponsor BH to discredit GEJ and his administration.
ReplyDeleteGod will punish you idiots that have been fuelling insurgency in pretence. When the gentleman was begging you to hold back your boys, did you hopeless old fools do anything? We all know that you guys are responsible for it all. Buhari said that he will make Nigeria ungovernable for GEJ. Is it not much enough to point fingers at him? The allegiance they kept for your favour has now turned against you. There's nothing like war. You murderers called for it. Face it.
ReplyDelete9ja guy, God bless you. I subscribe to your view!
ReplyDeleteWho are the Elders? Please where are they? NigerianEye, please search under your table, are they there?? we cant find them here too. (hissed). it is a pity for them, Old people that has outlived their usefulness to humanity, please forget them. come to think of it, you are busy killing people and same you (blood-suckers ) want amnesty? wait, let the Federal Troops meet you there, barawo, ole, amofia! The blood of the Innocent that you have wickedly shed will NEVER let you, your leaders and sponsors rest amen. Almustapha.
ReplyDeleteNigerians wise up GEJ is not the problem of Nigeria you can see the antics of the so called elders and ACN they want to use the crises to paint GEJ bad before the masses before the coming election. We know were are votes will go up nigeria up Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteNorthern elders, I think it is time you call a spade a spade, your ignorant followers are dragging your region backward, call them into order and stop asking for amnesty for rouges and touts. Jonathan is not BH member and should be left alone. North is being drag back gradually.
ReplyDeleteKSF Akure.
God avenge d blood of the innocent boko haram has killed. Northern elders may the blood of the innocent speak against u. God of vengence show urself in Nigeria IJN amen
ReplyDeleteThe elders forum should be treated like thieves. The are d mask behind boko haram. Now everythn has turned on them nd they are shouting. I pity d day i will set my eye on u. I will personally use my hand and turn all ur heads round. Elders without sense of humour
ReplyDeleteThe manner they talk about the North as if it is a property that belong to few individuals. They forget that a lot of other people of different tribe and religion in Nigeria resite there. including peace loving Muslims. Anyway, its not there fault, all their families are abroad. The Government of President Jonathan, has denied them of follow of money. It is God's will that we should be called Nigeria. And by his special grace, the truth about all this will come to light, and those blood sucking agents will be exposed. The spirit of the innocent people killed, will hunt them down in Jesus name Amen.
ReplyDeleteAmen! the game is up for mustaphar shekau and boko haram...he dies tonight in Jesus name!!!! Amen!
ReplyDeleteNow u all believe that these so call northern leaders have been secretly Sponsoring, Financing, applauding and appreciating the activates of bh. No Muslim is against the acts of terrorism the bh sect is perpetrating. Even the ones that comes on air to say Islam is not about violence or terrorism knows that they are lying. This should sink into the mind of all Nigerians that are not Muslims. THE AVERAGE MUSLIM IS A TERRORIST EITHER BY ACTION OR REASONING
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly do this people want? Is it for Buhari to return as president at 68 years or what? For how long will the Northern youth continue to be underestimated of their contribution to the grate development of this nation? Kabiru Sokoto say's he has no case to answer after Christmas day bumbling of Catholic Church. Mosque has been destroyed, several attempts has been made to kidnap the monarchs in the north, why? just to look for money for more arms for BH. This unrest in the north that has almost cripple every activities and development means nothing to this so called northern elders? Stop Fueling atrocities and injecting the minds of the youth with fetish words like this. Your time is up. Accept the war you've mentioned or leave it, Nigeria must stand for the better not for you because your days of effectiveness are long gone. You are nothing but garbage to this motherland.
ReplyDeletePROF ANGO, DO YOU KNOW YOU WASTED ALL YOUR YEARS OF STUDY? A FOOL WILL NOT REASON THE WAY UO REASON. IF YOU HAD SPENT ALL THOSE YEAR REARING COWS PPL WOULD HAVE APPRECITED YOU CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY. IF YOU WERE MY FATHER WHICH YOU CANNOT I WOULD HAVE KILLED YPU MYSELF THIS NIGHT. NAMA.
ReplyDeleteThe so called Northern elders are still living in fantasy Island; they are illusory to themselves and their people. Unfortunately for them, we in the South have since advanced beyond their empty threats. Let it be said in Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Kano, and Kaduna and in all the Towns and Villages in the North that we in the South are not afraid of them, we don’t want them, our marriage with them will soon be over and we are better off without them. We wish them well, they are free to go ahead and practice their Maitatsine, Sharia and Boko Haram without us, or better still they can go and join their brothers in Chad and Niger Republic.
ReplyDeleteno need for comment, he who respect his parents will not insult/abuse somebody father. we shall see who is BH/financier after GEJ exit by 2015.
ReplyDeleteWell, We all must know that without war, there will be no peace and without war, peace will not be valuable. The oppression of the weak is elongated by the acceptance by the oppressed to be oppressed. And when the end of the the tunnel is nearing, it becomes darker; the Greater Nigeria is about to be born and Goodluck has been anointed to midwife the delivery. Nigeria is an indivisible entity, so says the God that has led Nigeria for 100 years. However, many must be prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice to cleansing Nigeria for the attainment of this God-design Greater Nigeria. After the war comes the peace and by then, Nigeria would be a greater super power in Africa. I foresee this weaker Nigeria being transformed to a Greater Nigeria after this cleansing exercise that will ultimately wipe out the NEF members. Restoration of value for humanity, love for neighbors and commitment to national unity will soar. After the Nigeria/Biafra war, the Igbos learned their lessons so also will the BH learn the hard way.
ReplyDeleteAt last the faceless sponsors of these mindless boffuns called Boko Haram are joining the leader of BH, Buhari to expose themselves. The blood of the innocent they have been masacering will ensure violent death for them and their families. They hide their children abroad and use those robots they made tools to waste useful lives like mosquitoes. Animals re more inteligent than these morons that parade as Norther Elders
ReplyDeleteOh! God, pls., because of the faithful and the innocent ones, SAVE OUR COUNTRY NIGERIA and deliver us from the hand of the hearthless Boko Haram in JESUS' NAME. Amen
ReplyDeleteShame on all hypocrite!GEJ, though am still not happy abt d slow way u r leading this country; remember that u r accountable to God.u r a Dr for crying out loud n u have d entire resources of this great nation @ ur disposal: GEJ, do d rite once n for all.the fool dat put up this article arrest them then I will knw u knw wat u r doing. I mean arrest all d so called northern elders n u will c d north moving forward.
ReplyDeleteIt's suprises me that we have fools who do not cogitate b/4 they uttered statement, irritating statement that will fuel instability in the country. If you have any comment against the pronouncement of the so called northern leaders, just state your argument clearly without any abusive statement. Do you know that we have both muslims and christian living together before this time? I have the belief that the government of the day have a hidden agenda, that is why they do not want to curb the menace of the boko haram long ago.The militants in niger delta operates in a similar way that the boko haram started,nobody talked about any state of emergency,it is only when the government of the day come into power that their activities has been intensified, the government fueled it because of their motive. let's pray for our country so that we will live together peacefully.
ReplyDeleteAny northern muslim that says niger delta militant did what bokoharam are doing is very selfish and has lied to himself. Niger delta militants never attacked innocent christians in their place of worship, neitheir did they attack any blood thirsty mohammedian at the mosque. They did not go round communities killing people while they slept. If you support BH in any way, then you will have the blood of the children of God killed by jihadist mohammedians on your heads, if it pains you, go hug transformer.
DeleteClose ur mouth,nigerians are wise now.
ReplyDeleteLike people say, the breeze has exposed the private part of the fowl. So Northern elders are behind all this. Haba !!!!!!! What calamity. So it is a northern thing after all . Why should we remain together ????????
ReplyDeletei pray dis prayer today dat for every pain , tears , panic and loss dat the BH have made the christains passed tru , our Almighty God will made them pass tru d same in 100 folds.d killing of pregnant women, babies,defenceless christains in churches, burning of ppl alive, cutting someone into two, cutting d stomachs of christains n chant allah u wakbar, mocking chrisainity and calling us infidels dat should b killed like cows for all dis and more i pray dat God should visit dem one after the other. useless pple who rape and marry under aged girls and den come out n call dem selves men.so dirty like a pig and smelling like a pit toilet .pple dat in dis modern soceity, still shun education n have just 30% educated illerate among dem.i pity d whole of u.imagine dat idiot crying bcos he won't have his vrigins in heaven. make him no worry, him go b mohammed vrigin for hell. mohammed go rape him in d morning, demons go rape him in d afternoon then devil go rape him for nite.their end is near
ReplyDeletehahahahahaha oboi....amen! but bros u harsh o
ReplyDeleteAngo Abdullahi god bless you,but i must catigorically inform you that if you think Nigeria is in unity & that we are still staying as one Nigeria ah sorry you are still living in the past we have gone beyond these Makeba dance since you people will keep demonstrating to the whole world that you cant stay without power gone are those days,if you people do anything funny the MAP of Nigeria will definitely change take it or you leave is always bitter
ReplyDelete