[size=14pt]Boko Haram should be granted amnesty if they repent – Onaiyekan[/size]
Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, yesterday, backed the call by the Sultan of Sokoto for the granting of amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect, as a means of achieving peace in the north.

However, before the pardon, the clergy wants members of the sect to seek repentance for the large number of persons and property they have destroyed without any justification.

Cardinal Onaiyekan, who stated this in his Easter massage, noted that although government had power to give state pardon to criminals, it must be done with caution.

According to the Cardinal, the sect must seek forgiveness and repentance, so that it would not appear as if the members had done the right thing and were being persuaded to seek pardon from the government.

He said, “as regards the case of an offer of amnesty to the Boko Haram, I believe that we should not throw away outright the consideration of such amnesty. Faced with an intractable problem, we have to explore all possible avenues of solution. The security response in terms of arms, gadgets and trained personnel is useful and necessary, but obviously not enough on its own.

“Government does well to reach out to all political forces and currents, so that the nation can be on the same political page and jointly address this common menace, which terrorism is.

“Under such an atmosphere of common efforts, the call for amnesty would seem to me quite appropriate and even necessary. I therefore see the call of the Sultan as an invitation to further discussion and dialogue among Nigerians to sharpen the focus of government action in this matter.

“That discussion has started, for which we should thank the Sultan and his courageous proposal. In every conflict, a time comes when dialogue and talking must be brought into the equation, in view of final solution.

“But before the Boko Haram can be seriously considered for amnesty, they must meet the two conditions mentioned earlier for forgiveness, namely repentance and amendment. Before they are eligible for any amnesty, they must at least admit that they were wrong to be killing innocent people, whatever may have been their grievances. If this is not done, they could well continue to feel that they did the right thing and perhaps, it is the rest of us who ought to beg them for pardon.”

The Archbishop urged the government to address the growing problems of poverty and unemployment and promote good governance so as to give the people justifiable reasons for electing them into the office they are occupying.

Govt should address poverty, unemployment

“We have to find ways of getting ourselves out of the tight grip of these two evils (insecurity and massive corruption). It will require not only legal approach but also wise political moves and quiet diplomatic efforts as well as the input from the spiritual leadership of the country.

“This means that the problem of Nigeria is the problem of all of us and we must find a way of putting our heads together to change our ways of doing things so that a great nation can emerge.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/boko-haram-should-repent-apologise-before-amnesty-onaiyekan/

[size=14pt]Onaiyekan condemns pardon for Alamieyeseigha, Bulama [/size]
THE presidential pardon granted former Bayelsa State governor, Depreiye Alamieyeseigha, may never go down well with most Nigerians as more high profile figures have condemned it.

The latest condemnation came from the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, in his Easter message.

Onaiyekan, troubled by the pardon - like many Nigerians since the news of it broke - dedicated his Easter message to condemning it.

President Goodluck Jonathan drew local and international anger after he granted state pardon to his former boss, Alamieyeseigha. The former governor, wanted in the United Kingdom for money laundering and convicted in Nigeria for embezzling state funds while he was in office, was pardoned alongside another convict and former head of the Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama.

Bulama, like Alamieyeisegha, was investigated and later prosecuted for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for crimes committed as head of a Nigerian bank.

While many Nigerians have described it as the worst setback to the fight against corruption in the country, the controversial pardon sparked diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United States, with the Americans threatening to punish Nigeria over Jonathan’s action.

The president also drew public anger for the pardon of a former army major, Bello Magaji, a homosexual rapist whom the Supreme Court jailed for five years for serially sodomising four teenage boys.

Onaiyekan, who spoke to Premium Times, an on-line publication, said the pardon is a “case where moral issues is at stake, where people are condemned or liable to be condemned for breaking the law and going against moral norms.”

According to the cleric, Alamieyeisegha and Bulama, and others ‘unjustly’ pardoned, ought to have shown some form of public repentance “which should be clear to everyone.”

“Furthermore, a sincere effort must be made to pay back as much as possible of what has been stolen. That money belongs to the Nigerian people and it must be given back to them (as a precondition for the pardon),” he added.

The Cardinal advised the government not to forget that the issue of massive corruption in high places is of major concern to Nigerians who are fast losing confidence in the sincerity of government to turn the tide.

“Pardon for high profile corruption cases will certainly reduce further whatever is left of the confidence of the people. This has serious political and social fall-out that government cannot afford to ignore.

“We must tell the truth that anger is mounting in the land, especially among the youth whose patience is running out. The clock of social tension is dangerously ticking towards explosion. The nation is in danger. What is needed are clear and visible gestures of reassurance that a real change and genuine transformation for the better has started,” he said.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=117676:onaiyekan-condemns-pardon-for-alamieyeseigha-bulama&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

I don't even want to make any statements on this but this double mouth is not expected from a Cardinal who was involved in the election of the new pope

Mr. Globe:
I don't even want to make any statements on this but this double mouth is not expected from a Cardinal who was involved in the election of the new pope

There is actually no 'double mouth' as you said.

He wants Boko Haram to be granted amnesty if they renounce their past evil deeds.

He condemns the presidential pardon because the pardoned guys were not made to show remorse. And they did not RETURN WHAT THEY STOLE.

There's no contradiction in both articles.

Richfella:

There is actually no 'double mouth' as you said.

He wants Boko Haram to be granted amnesty if they renounce their past evil deeds.

He condemns the presidential pardon because the pardoned guys were not made to show remorse. And they did not RETURN WHAT THEY STOLE.

There's no contradiction in both articles.

"
and you are even complicating the matter for you and the cardinal. Since he condemned the presidential pardon because they did not return what they stole according to you, are you now saying if Boko renounce their past evil deed, they will return the lives they took or we should forget that and move on in this case and which is more gravy anyway?

First of all he is not my cardinal.

As a wise-man, you will know that at certain times compromises must be reached.

First of all, there's no way Boko Haram can return lives.

Secondly, if they are not granted amnesty, MORE innocent lives will most likely be lost.

Better half a loaf than no bread.

What does he mean by if Boko Boys and Girls repent as in what?

Does he want them to renounce Islam and join Christianity or for them to come out publicly and beg for forgiveness?

We must make sure this sermon never get to these Boko boys and girls because it will result in burning down the remaining two out of fifty-two Catholic Church that have already gone ablaze.

The real Boko Boys and Girls have strong conviction that they are doing Allah's work.

Richfella: First of all he is not my cardinal.

As a wise-man, you will know that at certain times compromises must be reached.

First of all, there's no way Boko Haram can return lives.

Secondly, if they are not granted amnesty, MORE innocent lives will most likely be lost.

Better half a loaf than no bread.

oh, you are now going emotional. I rather deal with facts. The cardinal contradicted himself here and its very obvious.

Cardinal Onaiyekan, who stated this in his Easter massage, noted that although government had power to give state pardon to criminals, it must be done with caution.

Op,wetin be ur problem dis night?

It is better you keep your mouth capped because what comes out almost always is fallacious reasoning.

Are you suggesting that we cannot resolve an armed insurrection through amnesty until we have let out all thieves out of our prisons, or until we allow our govt. officials to steal us blind without fear of consequences?

What is your point exactly?

Mr. Globe:
I don't even want to make any statements on this but this double mouth is not expected from a Cardinal who was involved in the election of the new pope

koruji: It is better you keep your mouth capped because what comes out almost always is fallacious reasoning.

Are you suggesting that we cannot resolve an armed insurrection through amnesty until we have let out all thieves out of our prisons, or until we allow our govt. officials to steal us blind without fear of consequences?

What is your point exactly?

Another drunkard making no sense. The same double standards the cardinal is harping on. Are you suggesting amnesty is the only way out of armed insurrection. Why will the cardinal support the pardoning of criminals who have caused severe irreversible damage to the country only to turn out in the same statement to condemn the pardoning of a corrupt individual who has suffered punishment for his crime. I see how intelligent you are fool.

Mr. Globe:

Another drunkard making no sense. The same double standards the cardinal is harping on. Are you suggesting amnesty is the only way out of armed insurrection. Why will the cardinal support the pardoning of criminals who have caused severe irreversible damage to the country only to turn out in the same statement to condemn the pardoning of a corrupt individual who has suffered punishment for his crime. I see how intelligent you are fool.

can you please suggest a better way of dealing with it?

Rufex07: can you please suggest a better way of dealing with it?

There has been an international standing rule of non negotiation with terrorists. The security agencies must do their job. The northern leaders who created boko haram should deal with it since the president is not inclined to arresting all of the as I would have suggested

Mr. Globe:

oh, you are now going emotional. I rather deal with facts. The cardinal contradicted himself here and its very obvious.

The US does not negotiate with terrorists - that's the official line. But you'll see them arming these same dudes under different circumstances.

Everything is not black and white my friend.

Emerson said, "Power is the essential measure of right". If the government can contain the Boko boys, it would have been done a long time ago.

These guys are faceless, and they are potent too. When you negotiate with a STRONG opponent...there are always concessions. There are always are.

Read about the US releasing terrorists in exchange for peace with the Taliban here: http://news.yahoo.com/u-negotiate-terrorists-170500120.html

Mr. Globe:

Another drunkard making no sense. The same double standards the cardinal is harping on. Are you suggesting amnesty is the only way out of armed insurrection. Why will the cardinal support the pardoning of criminals who have caused severe irreversible damage to the country only to turn out in the same statement to condemn the pardoning of a corrupt individual who has suffered punishment for his crime. I see how intelligent you are fool.

That was completely unnecessary.

Richfella:

That was completely unnecessary.

yeah, I only paid him back in his own coin. Read his post I replied.

Richfella:

The US does not negotiate with terrorists - that's the official line. But you'll see them arming these same dudes under different circumstances.

Everything is not black and white my friend.

Emerson said, "Power is the essential measure of right". If the government can contain the Boko boys, it would have been done a long time ago.

These guys are faceless, and they are potent too. When you negotiate with a STRONG opponent...there are always concessions. There are always are.

Read about the US releasing terrorists in exchange for peace with the Taliban here: http://news.yahoo.com/u-negotiate-terrorists-170500120.html

America security is complicated. They may release a terrorist but they will render the person useless for the rest of his life. Not after they have inserted chips into their bodies to trace their every move. 80% of the terrorists too are not US citizens too so diplomacy also helps in their release. Even boko haram are not even ready for amnesty themselves.I don't see why any sane individual will ask for amnesty for Boko haram. When did it get cool to wake up and start committing treason by killing the masses only to turn around and be pardoned.