Well, if the federal government could negotiate with the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), grant their members amnesty, and send so many overseas for training, then there will be nothing wrong to dialog with Boko Haram. This may sound odd, but its becoming a question of, if you can’t beat them, then negotiate with them. But, to achieve a balance, the federal government should also open negotiations with Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and other groups agitating for self determination. What is good for MEND should also be good for others. In case of MEND, over 20,000 were given amnesty, out of which about 969 of them are receiving training in USA, South Africa, Poland, Russia, Ghana, Malaysia etc. Boko Haram members definitely need such training, re-orientation, rehabilitation etc. Other Nigerians also need local and overseas trainings.
The writer advises that, Boko Haram or other groups agitating for self determination or any cause, should forget the use of violence. War, fighting, bombing or armed struggle has never achieved any thing except destruction. Every conflict(s) ends on the negotiating table. In Afghanistan , the United States and President Hamid Karzai’s government have opened up negotiation with the Taliban. No price will be too much to pay for peace in Nigeria . However, one important lesson can be learnt from our government. They are willing to listen, when the language of force has been applied. No wonder the MASSOB leader (Chief Ralph Uwazuruike) has threatened to abandon his non violent and non exodus movement. The question to ask our government is, what about non violent innocent Nigerians? When will the government remember them?
From all indications, it appears Boko Haram has popular support amongst the locals. Otherwise one wonders the reasons why Borno State law makers have asked the army to leave Maidugiri. In addition, former Governors of Borno and Gombe State (Senator Alli Modu Sheriff and Senator Danjuma Goje) and the present Governor of Bauchi State (Alhaji Isa Yuguda) have all publicly apologized to Boko Haram. Enjoying the empathy of the locals, means the security services will have tough work to do, which again points to negotiations as an option. In all situations, the priority should be the safety and security of innocent Nigerians. All hands must be on deck to protect them. May God bless Nigeria .
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and Citizens Journalist, Based in UK .
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sending The Wrong Signals.
One hopes there are other reasons for the arrest of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (former Minister of The Federal Capital Territory) in the morning of today (2/7/11) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, other than his writings and his most recent post election presentation at the Chatham House London. Lets recollect that in January 2011, Prof Okey Ndibe (A Nigerian Academic, writer, critic, and journalist, based in the USA) was also arrested and interrogated at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos. The case of the later was purely on his writings. When you factor in the fact that many journalists (Mr. Bayo Ohu of the Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday Newspapers, Dele Giwa of Newswatch Magazines etc) have been killed in the past, one wonders if there are calculated attempts to suppress freedom of speech, even under “democratic rule”. However, the government should realize that wrong messages are being sent, each time a journalist is killed or one is arrested for his/her views. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and Citizens Journalist, Based in UK.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and Citizens Journalist, Based in UK.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
7-Year Single Term of Office is Unrealistic.
An online news media (http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/16094.html?print?print) has reported, that the Presidency has concluded plans to send a bill to the National Assembly, for a single term of seven years for governors and presidents. The reason being that political violence was always caused, by the resolve of the incumbent governors and president to run for a second tenure of office. Dear President GEJ, if the above intension is true, then the writer completely disagrees with you and other proponents of this idea.
Mr. President, the true cause(s) of political violence is the lack of transparence in our political processes and injustice in Nigeria. Single term of 7, 8, or 9 years will not solve the matter until there is complete transparency, fairness, honesty and justice, in the system. In addition, the level of corruption is more than capable to cause political unrest. Mr. President, our country needs fundamental restructuring. Nothing short of true federalism or confederation is needed. The writer is aware that Mr. President is not in support of sovereign national conference. This makes matter(s) worst, because the nation’s problems can only be solved when the different aggrieved regions, states etc sit on the table and tell each other the truth and chat a way forward.
Just today (12/07/11), it was reported on the news that Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has called on you (President GEJ) to convene a sovereign national conference, to afford Nigerians the opportunity to discuss and possibly give birth to Republic of Niger Delta. South Sudan was used as an example. Mr. President, several groups are agitating for self-determination, these calls cannot be wished away. It’s a clear indication that all is not well with our polity. Listen to the people and find out what they want. Perhaps, your government can conduct a referendum to find out what Nigerians want. Instead of seeking for a seven year term, emphasizes should be on how to restructure the nation with a view to developing various parts of the country. To the writer, four years is more than enough to put back Nigeria on the path to greatness. Whatever that cannot be accomplished in four years might also not be completed in seven years. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and Citizens Journalist, Based in UK.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Mr. President, the true cause(s) of political violence is the lack of transparence in our political processes and injustice in Nigeria. Single term of 7, 8, or 9 years will not solve the matter until there is complete transparency, fairness, honesty and justice, in the system. In addition, the level of corruption is more than capable to cause political unrest. Mr. President, our country needs fundamental restructuring. Nothing short of true federalism or confederation is needed. The writer is aware that Mr. President is not in support of sovereign national conference. This makes matter(s) worst, because the nation’s problems can only be solved when the different aggrieved regions, states etc sit on the table and tell each other the truth and chat a way forward.
Just today (12/07/11), it was reported on the news that Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has called on you (President GEJ) to convene a sovereign national conference, to afford Nigerians the opportunity to discuss and possibly give birth to Republic of Niger Delta. South Sudan was used as an example. Mr. President, several groups are agitating for self-determination, these calls cannot be wished away. It’s a clear indication that all is not well with our polity. Listen to the people and find out what they want. Perhaps, your government can conduct a referendum to find out what Nigerians want. Instead of seeking for a seven year term, emphasizes should be on how to restructure the nation with a view to developing various parts of the country. To the writer, four years is more than enough to put back Nigeria on the path to greatness. Whatever that cannot be accomplished in four years might also not be completed in seven years. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and Citizens Journalist, Based in UK.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
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