National Issues
Amnesty will not stop Boko Haram.
One of the most popular topics today amongst others is the argument of whether or not the Federal Government should offer amnesty to members of the notorious Islamic sect known as Boko Haram. If I may, my opinion on this matter is simple; Boko Haram cannot and should never be offered any form of amnesty. More so, you only offer amnesty to a group or individual who are visible not invisible sets of angry and brainwashed individuals like the infamous Boko Haram. Aside the fact that they are operating as an invisible entity who cannot be seen let alone be brought in a round table discussion, they are nothing compared to members of MEND who were given amnesty by Late President Yar’Adua. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta had an established cause that were understood by many and they fight not to kill innocent Nigerians but to take control of the resources within their vicinity and to draw the attention of the government towards their concerns.
There are many who believe that the actions of Boko Haram were born out of neglect and total abandonment of the North, I did, and maybe still do, but I think there is more to it. It wasn’t just the unequal and unbalanced lifestyle in the country but a political conspiracy. It’s not a hidden fact that the group in question has been in existence for long but ask yourself, why were they not activated during the leadership of Yar’Adua? Someone boldly made a treasonable statement regarding the emergence of a non-northerner as the president yet that someone till date, is having a fun time while the fire he set is burning uncontrollably and the president has done little or nothing about it.
Coming up with the idea of offering Boko Haram amnesty is ludicrous and absurd, it will as a matter of fact generate public interest that will pilot cynicism and hate for a particular group in the country. It will be a political mistake for the government to do so because it will promote terrorism in the country. There are probably tens if not hundreds of other groups who are waiting to see how the Boko Haram saga will be handled. It is imperative to note that the world is watching, waiting to see how this whole thing will all pan out, whether or not the Nigerian government will give in to the demands of this sleeper cells. This people don’t want amnesty, the agenda of those that set them up is not to secure amnesty at the end of the day, but to “make the country unbearable” until their wish of taking back the presidency sit is achieved.
The only thing that’s standing in the way of bringing this terror group to book is corruption and the indecision of Mr President. Many see it; I see it that the presidents don’t have the balls to do what is necessary, what is required to take back control of the country. Putting up road blocks, frantically searching all vehicles that enter some strategic places etc. will never solve this problem. The only way out is for Mr President to redefine what his government stands for and understanding on time, that if diplomacy don’t work, some level of pressure has to be exacted to bring the group to a standstill by carefully sweeping out the bad eggs within and outside his administration beginning with that “someone” that made that treasonable statement. If he doesn’t, then the Boko Haram may never stop attacking the country and every single blood that they shed, will be on his head.