Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Boko Haram insurgents have legitimate grievances, a report in The Cable on Monday said.
Criticising the response of the current administration to the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the North, Obasanjo highlighted low level of education as a contributory factor.
The ex-President spoke on Monday during a global education conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“They (Boko Haram) have legitimate grievances,” he told IBTimes United Kingdom.
“We don’t need anyone to tell us that that is a problem: a problem of disparity, a problem of marginalisation.
“The response of the government initially was definitely not enough. When Boko Haram started showing their fangs about four years ago, the reaction should have been firm and unmistakable,” he added.
Obasanjo reiterated his carrot-and-stick approach to solving the insurgency by the sect, adding that the heat that the sect was facing from the military at the moment could force it to dialogue with the government.
“If Boko Haram is ready to talk, we should talk. But they will need to be pounded a little bit by the military and then, they would be ready to talk,” he said.
Obasanjo added, “When we were dealing with the carrot aspect, the stick aspect should have been firm. I hope with that, we will now go the carrot; the carrot is those things rightly or wrongly perceived as injustice or grievances that can now be dealt with.
“But the false confidence of the militants to go into Chad, Niger and neighbouring countries has now led to a regional coalition of military and that has been reasonably effective; it has not completely solved the problem.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Is He a Nigerian statesman or book haram
ReplyDeleteOBJ you too much
ReplyDeleteThis man is mad dog seeking popularity. He had more that one meeting with the boko haram and what was the outcome? Old man
ReplyDeleteWhat did OBJ do to Boko Haram when was in power? Did Boko Haram started showing their fangs during Jonathan's era or prior to that period? Why is it that if OBJ does not get what he wants, he embarks on "jf-I-don't-get-what-I-want"."I-pull-you-down" syndrome? It is unfortunate that OBJ is doing everything possible to pull down the government of the day simply because he is no longer having a hold on the government.
ReplyDeleteIf the Northern Governors had given education priority in all their states instead of allowing and encouraging their youths to be roaming the streets, would Boko Haram have emerged? What did they do with all the money that they have been getting from Federal allocation? Is Boko Haram's hatred for western education, thus destroying hospitals, schools, looting banks, destroying government structures, killing innocent men, women and even children the right way to pursue a "legitimate cause"? Was OBJ not aware of the American government's action at frustrating every move the current administration made to get modern sophisticated weapons to fight Boko Haram, until recently when the government found a way out of the matter and now winning the war against Boko Haram? Was OBJ not among the former military Heads of State who deliberately disabled the nation's armed forces for fear of being overthrown, thus leaving the armed forces with out-of-date and unserviceable war equipment?
Common, OBJ, you are regarded as an Elder statesman in this country, but right now one is becoming suspect about your true intentions. Look at other senior retired generals before you and take a cue from them.
This manbis talking jaz....what is carrot for the kind of group that waste peoples lives and want to mak a part of the country a religion caliphate, what usrless carrot are u talking abut. What carrot did u give in odi, what carrot was given to Ken Saro Wiwa. Baba dnt let God vex with u for trying to delude the government wit carrot issue.
ReplyDeleteWas it lack of education dat made abdulmutalab attempted bombing an american airplane? What about isis in iraq, syria and else, is it education also? Obj! Obj!! Obj!!! There is God o. They are nt d only ones who are not educated in nigeria
ReplyDeleteWas it lack of education dat made abdulmutalab attempted bombing an american airplane? What about isis in iraq, syria and else, is it education also? Obj! Obj!! Obj!!! There is God o. They are nt d only ones who are not educated in nigeria
ReplyDeleteIs Obj still an elder stateman? Please, he should learn statesmanship from the likes of Gowon, Shagari, IBB, Shonekan and Abdusalami.
ReplyDelete