₦airaland Forum

nagoma: Jonathan is in a better position to say. I'm sure he knows more than you do. Why doesn't he talk or act? Everybody is tired of this situation and he is sitting like a dummy.

He should just get into an agreement with the US and have their drones deal with these terrorists. Innocents will inevitably be caught in the cross fire though.

victor V.I.C:
@ milorambaldi....st8 police??do u really tink d police force will be able 2 curb d hostility in d northern region wen d attempt of JTF which is composed of troops from d army, airforce, navy as well as mobile police has over tyme proven abortive?

State Police would work because the State (or 'Sharia') Police would have the support of the populace there- a support not currently given to the GEJ-led FG. Because the people there would support it, they'll expose the BH members and would even riot to rout out the killers for giving their state a bad rep. Right now, every BH attack is a slap on the FG. Under a State Police scheme it'll be a slap only on that State Govt.

aikuda: Boko Haram is being smart on this one. I think GEJ and his team know what they are doing, at least on this case. They had to accept the call for amnesty just to humor such advocates. They know that Boko Haram CANNOT accept amnesty. They will have to show their faces to accept amnesty, right. How do you grant amnesty to a "ghost," as GEJ said before. But I guess to satisfy the advocates for amnesty and to not appear to be the problem as some northern leaders are hoping for, he accepted the call and pretended to play along.

Any sensible person would know amnesty is trap that Boko Haram cannot accept. That is not how their operation works. This is not Niger Deltal militants that have some identifiable objective and are willing to meet with the government. Boko Haram is based on an impossible ideology that requires faceless acts of terrorism. At least the northerners cannot blame GEJ for not granting their wards amnesty now!

People have to look at the big picture to understand the mind games going on.

Seems a smart move by the FG, looked at it that way. Any further requests for FG to grant amnesty to BH would sound quite foolish.

maclatunji: You are quite an optimist, I don't see him with any answer to this problem.

Islamism is a difficult problem to solve anywhere, once it's taken root. Just how do you stop people from blowing themselves and others up, with bombs and bomb-making materials so easy to get?

The FG needs to implement elements of true federalism like empowering States to handle their own security. This will quickly localize the insurgency. This will mean that the largely non-muslim Southern States would be ok, as those state govts. would act or be compelled by their 'indigenes' to act forcefully against 'foreign' Islamists.

Formula would also work in the North. It would not make sense for BH to kill people in an already 'Sharia' North to compel largely non-muslim semi-independent Southern States to adopt Sharia. Also any policeman killed would likely be an 'indigene' of the state and this would anger and force the people there to wake form their complicit slumber. Sadly, non-Muslim 'minorities' will still be prime targets and may fare worse initially, as the Northern States' police may not be very protective- this will clearly show the world the complicity of such states and hopefully they'll quickly make amends to redeem their image.

Napolitano: I'm not for amnesty for Boko haram but with the fact that FG is too docile and incompetent to fight them, I'm out of options.

What do U mean by FG is too docile? What would you want the FG to do, nuke the North?

If FG starts working with the US to use drones to target these people, some people will be complaining, same way the Borno Elders have been complaining about the JTF.

FG should just gives States power to police themselves and leave them to it, unless a State openly asks for FG assistance.

About time the FG starts working with the US to target these people using drones.

victor V.I.C:
4 those of u who are against amnesty.wot other alternative solutns do u propose?true patriotism is nt displayed solely by criticims of an ill policy undertaken by those in power but an unreserved recommendatn of a more suitable solution. It's nt enough 2 sit down and insult those in support of amnesty.u must b able 2 propose better solutions 2 convince those in support of it dat amnesty is nt d best approach 2 resolving boko haram insurgency...for those who dont know, Amnesty simply means pardon(4giveness).it's d negotiatn dat comes prior 2 amnesty dat might lead 2 financial disbursement by d federal govt.

Amnesty will not work, because BH's stated goal is to Islamize Nigeria and they don't want to be forgiven for what they see as religious duty. State Police and true federalism is the real solution to BH (and some other ills). State Police will force the complicit state govts to sit up, expose and confront their violent brothers and vanquish them.

Gamji007: Would GEJ consider amnesty if he doesn't know them? Please use your brains and connect all the dots.

It's the Northern elites - El Rufai, Emirs, Buhari, Turai, etc- that have been at the forefront peddling amnesty. By your logic, these ones know who BH top dogs are.

Silly BlackBerry, if only they had opened BBM to other platforms. With whatspp going to either Facebook or Google, better days ahead for Whatsapp.

Royalprestidge: solution to bokoharam menance can ne found if answer can be given to these question
1. who are the bokoharam? religious fanatic or political dictatorship?
2. what is it that they want in the first place? religious reward or freedom or political reward
3. Can amnesty be granted to unknown people or faceless people?
4. on what basis is the amnesty to bk based? politics, identification and readiness for dialogue or what

Here are some answers:

1. who are the bokoharam? religious fanatic or political dictatorship?

BH is clearly religious, seeking to Islamize Nigeria. That's their stated aim. The only political angle to it is that the North have largely refused to curtail their activities as the elites there see BH as a means to regain political relevance. It's why there's been no real opposition to BH there and the Northern politicians oppose State Police because they don't want to shoulder the responsibility of dealing with BH, when clearly they are the only ones who can.

2. what is it that they want in the first place? religious reward or freedom or political reward

Islamization of Nigeria, which is both a religious and political thing.

"We will consider negotiation only when we have brought the government to their knees," the spokesman, Abu Qaqa, said. "Once we see that things are being done according to the dictates of Allah, and our members are released [from prison], we will only put aside our arms – but we will not lay them down. You don't put down your arms in Islam, you only put them aside." - http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/27/boko-haram-nigeria-sharia-law

3. Can amnesty be granted to unknown people or faceless people?

No. And amnesty won't work because of their demands. Only way amnesty might remotely work is if the Northern elites get a good political offer, then they'll attack and attempt to vanquish their BH brothers- something they should have done since if they valued human lives. The question here is whether GEJ and the rest of the country would yield to this blood blackmail, also whether the Northern elites are united enough to agree- answer to both today is NO.

4. on what basis is the amnesty to bk based? politics, identification and readiness for dialogue or what

And this is the key question. There's no real basis for amnesty. Unlike the ND militancy, where the request was for development of the ND, the BH request is not remotely sensible. It attacks the Constitution and the core of the basis for the Nigeria nation- freedom. What can gov't offer them - 'Lay your arms and we'll think about imposing national Sharia laws'?

The best the gov't can do is tell them to drop arms and those who have not committed murder/mass murder will be given soft landing- reduced sentence. The murderers should be hounded and taken out for good.

seunajia: A quick analysis of this thread:

Will you vote for Buhari come 2015?

MrA: Never! He'll islamise Nigeria *Religion*

MrB: Mba! I can't vote a Northerner *Tribe*

MrC: Lailai! He is the sponsor of BH **

You see people, this has always been the problem and greed too. The politicians know this, and are always quick to play that card. To manipulate us.

Is it possible to "islamise" Nigeria? Sincerely? How is this possible?

Again, at this stage that we are? Origin > Credibility? The white folks that voted Obama, did they because he is black? The southerners that have been president, what has been their contribution?

The last reason is laughable You think GEJ wouldn't have swooped on his behind?

But I see the trend, it's about tribe, it's about religion. GEJ can't rule his sitting room, but because he's a Southerner, YES he'll get your votes. Moreso, he is a christian! How nice?

Anyway, as far as I am concerned, if it takes a babalawo Nigerian, whose parents are from Niger Republic to bring relief to my family and I (IDK about yours), I shall vote such babalawo Nigerian, whose parents are from Niger Republic.

It is either Nigeria or nothing. As far as it is Nigeria, kindly shove your useless tribalism up your arze. One leg in and one leg out is treason. If you don't want Nigeria, grow enough ballz and ship out!

@OP, as at this moment, any ticket that has Buhari or Fashola or Oshiomole will have my vote, that of my family, my colleagues and friends. We know these men, they have a track record --we trust them.

If it so happens that these guys run on different platforms, then we'll sensibly re-examine and vote the better candidate.

Let me let the GEJ folks in on an open-secret; we have been advising ourselves in small groups; including those who have been to fresh hell and back. You don't know

What skewed analysis is this? The majority reject him because he's been found to be an empty noisemaker, who overthrew a democratic gov't and is just doing a Romney - just criticizing the current gov't without actually saying what he'll do differently in the key areas.

babbangoni: So okosodo, I believe that you are one among Boko haram because many criminals that were caught on the place of bombing were not muslims.Muslims and christians of north only suffer this criminality. Boko haram was created only for a purpose that only those who initiated it know the goal. Do you know what injustice is going on in the North.Muslims suffer much about this phenomenon which shows that this act is commited by inconcious guys like you who followed western wish to see Nigeria at the backwaed of nations. Many of bombings were done by non muslims. where is the invisible hand?

Oh pls, spare us the propaganda. Google videos of BH claiming responsibility for bombings and come back and truthfully say they are non-Muslims. Especially watch the Thisday Abuja bombing video. You'd rather ignore the clear statements made by BH on their agenda and believe what u want.

Ogomsb2k: Who suggested diz amnesty of a thing. FG or bokoharam leaders. Lets start by answerin d questn

The FG has been somewhat against the idea. Lately key figures/groups from the North -Emirs, Buhari, Arewa, Abacha's wife, El Rufai etc have been pressuring GEJ to offer amnesty. Thieves. Of course it won't work.

GenBuhari: Iam a proud southerners and I compel all southerners to vote Buhari

Compel ke? You and Buhari think alike. Wake up- it's a democracy now. You can compel no one my friend. We choose to reject you and your boss Buhari. We won't be blackmailed by Boko Haram to vote a Northerner, and a clueless , possibly bigoted one for that matter.

Sincere 9gerian: Who is clueless? I think the clueless one is the one that seized power in a military coup and handed power to IBB on a platter. Yes, he is the clueless one. He was not man enough to hold on to power. He was too weak, incompetent and clueless.

And that coup by the clueless Buhari, taken over by his fellows IBB and Abacha is what has led to this mess today.

M I B :
The way most nairalanders talk really baffles me, it shows how uninformed they are.Just answer the following questions

-Is GEJ the cause of all nigeria's problems
-Did the problems of nigeria originate with the GEJ regime

Im sure we all know that whatever we are experiencing today is the cumulative effect of yrs of mismanagement by the northerners. They ruled for 34 yrs with nothing to show for it, and just when a south/south person becomes president they try to discredit him because they feel ruling nigeria is their birthright.

Sometimes I wonder why southerners are so stupid, past northern leader have perform far worse and done worse things than GEJ yet northerners will never insult their own leaders. The northern elites are using the media as a tool to discredit GEJ and we are falling for it. Its so painful.

I think its time we southerners stand up for our man, i know some people will say i am being tribalistic or sentimental, but believe me these northerners dont give a F>U>C>K about us. They see us as slaves that should always rule. I pity all those clamoring for GEJ's impeachment because if these northerners enter ASo ROCK we will see fire, they will rob us of all our rights.

On this note i will like to say that come rain come shine i will vote GEJ or any other reasonable candidate from the south come 2015 , but a northerner never.

Only a brain-dead Southerner will vote a Northerner after the North collectively decided to accommodate the killing of innocents and insecurity by their creation Boko Haram just so they can blackmail the nation to giving them Presidency.

brut: the problem with nigerians is that we think one-sided n therefore scared to take risk?for those ple saying he wld make naija an islamic country what proof do u have and y do u feel that is possible at this age n time wey naija peeps don open eye?please let's be reasonable.Buhari is far a better choice,let's give him a chance so corruption can be totally wiped out.That way,things will change for good.

And how will he wipe out corruption? Has he done so in his one democratic CPC state? You think he has a magic wand, abi?

We've seen this Romney style before - criticize incumbent without any ideas of you own and hope to get the job. Dream on.

BOMBSHELL: Northern politicians created Boko Haram – Mustapha Jokolo, former Emir of Gwandu – Says North should forget about the presideny in 2015 - http://transformationwatch.com/2012/03/28/bombshell-northern-politicians-created-boko-haram-mustapha-jokolo-former-emir-of-gwandu-says-north-should-forget-about-the-presideny-in-2015-naijapundit/

Hmmmmm

blaqoracle: don't mind the repentant pick pocket,called oritsejafor who was a beneficiary of amnesty in the past. the same man is the one that always move around with an anvalanch of security personnel. if he is c man of god, he should move around freely like the ordinary man, afterall, jesus never had an armed guard.

And wasn't Jesus killed? Ur point? You want him dead, don't you? CAN is useless, but the Orits dude is right. Those asking for amnesty for BH should have their heads examined.

kennydee05: What has the new hands of GEJ achieved?

Why not judge him after his tenure? Seems he's on course to fix the power issue, airports, rail and roads that Obj and others had struggled with for decades. As criticized as GEJ has been, and sometimes justifiably so, only blind critics would ignore his govt's efforts the past 2yrs. And this in spite of the BH insecurity being used largely by a section of the country to make the difficult job impossible.

Akainzo: And yet by your monicker, you read, believe and quote a man that persecuted and killed many a christian. Or are you not aware of who Apostle Paul was?

Meanwhile, what would you rather be angry at, one that comes in to truncate a process leading to destruction or just continuing on your way to perdition?

Nigeria is a clear case of how the military dabbling into politics can set back a nation. After Buhari's truncating of democracy, came IBB, then Abacha and these are the people when firmly set this country on it's downward spiral. Let a democratic govt be - it'll eventually course-correct or be removed by the people.

Talk is cheap. Just because u are the most vocal critic of the gov't doesn't mean u can do the job. Tell what you ACTUALLY will do. This Romney style is known and rejected.

Sincere 9gerian: ".Buhari ll reduce corruption in nigeria,he ll tackle the mess in nnpc,he ll tackle the mess in nepa and he ll not grant presidential pardon to people like alamesia"

Buhari will do this and that. We don hear. BUT what has Buhari and his party the, CPC, DONE (not will) so far in Nasarawa state? They'v been in charge for about 2yrs now.

We'v read your list of of Buhari will do this and that BUT show us examples of work DONE in the ONLY state his party is in control of NOW. I asked the question before and NO ONE has provided any answer. We are waiting!

Don't mind the brain dead. That Buhari can't manage his small party in a democracy or the one CPC state, shows he'll likely be an utter failure in the big national stage under a democracy.

Knowledge9000: I try not to reply comments that come no where to the vicinity of reason. Go and study history my friend and understand why Abacha was murdered and the rubbishing of his name with alleged loots. The same people that are rubbishing Abacha name are the same people that are rubbishing Mugabe, Gaddafi's names, same that said Idi-Amin Dada eats human flesh; and some of us african actually believe this nonsense...we need massive re-education of our people and must start from you...Fool! Go and study deeply before you reply or engage me as I have strong background in global and regional economics relating to every African countries and why their Leaders have been murdered.

And you point is? That Abacha did not steal billions?

jimmayoy: If buhari should contest against GEJ i ll vote for him.Buhari ll reduce corruption in nigeria,he ll tackle the mess in nnpc,he ll tackle the mess in nepa and he ll not grant presidential pardon to people like alamesia.He would nt ve choosed a pastor as a running mate if he planned to islamize Nigeria.Beleive me that team would ve taking us far by now if we had giving them the chance.what is the difference between where we were in 2007 and now,we are not making any progress with GEJ and if we make the mistake of voting GEJ again,we all ll live to regrate it,unfortunately u people ll still say things like he is a good man,its the people around him that ll not allow him to perform.How can we be this maopic?A nonperformer is a nonperformer.

How will Buhari reduce corruption? Has he ever mentioned how? Corruption is largely caused by the useless Police and the even more useless Judiciary. Has Buhari ever said anything to show he'll do anything about these institutions? The only real fix PHCN needs is privatization and FG is almost there. The only lasting fix for NNPC is also privatization. But Buhari is among those opposed to subsidy removal, which is required to open way for privatizing the Downstream sector. The North holds the nation's oil and gas industry hostage by opposing the PIB. The only way to really fix things is to fix the institutions. Nothing about Buhari shows he knows this. Better someone else, not this old bigot.

ItsModella: I'm voting for anybody with better ideas and common sense. I'm voting for anybody other than GEJ!!

And u think this man has better ideas? Have u heard any of his ideas on power, economy, policing? This man is empty, and worse still possibly a bigot.

For directly or indirectly using religion (BH) to blackmail the whole country and wasting thousands of innocents' lives, no Northerner should be allowed to smell the Presidency. Only a dumb Southerner would vote a Northerner. GEJ might not be taking us forward as fast as we need to go, but he doesn't (nor any leader) deserve the insecurity and violence perpetrated by and supported by the North just to reclaim power.

kinstinct: Have you been to the north or are you living there? How many of the northerners have you spoken to that gave you (and those thinking like you) this impression?
It pains me so much that those living in the north are sufering seriously from constant fear and econmic breakdown and someone is thinking they are enjoying it. Sentiments (including that of BH) is what is killing this country. and experience have shown that sentiments have never any long term good.

It's clear. When the predominantly Muslim North hates something that is against their religion, they riot/demonstrate. It happened over the cartoons and movie. We haven't heard of any riots or demonstrations against BH, which would be the case if the muslim North truly believe BH actions to be insulting Islam.

The North rushed to implement Sharia to spite Obj at the time. Now it's come back to bite them. BH, seeking the islamisation of Nigeria is the next logical thing. Amnesty won't solve jack. Just waste of scarce resources.

Gamji007: The good for nothing CAN president is out of hibernation.
I missed his irresponsible comments.

Anything idea that will bring peace to the country is welcome.

I have said it several times, any iddiot that won't provide an alternative solution order than amnesty to boko haram crisis should shut the fvck up.

Oh pls. The solution to BH is state policing and true federalism, not Amnesty largesse. State Policing will immediately localize this problem and force the currently passive indigenes of the affected states to rise up from their slumber and confront their brothers to stop destroying their locality.
Only a dullard would think Islamists can be bought. That they easily kill themselves in suicide attacks shows it's not about material things - it's a religious thing.

Buhari has nothing to offer. No policy, just wants to rule for the sake of ruling. This old man is not needed.

Why are all these Northern Elders not appealing and begging BH energetically to stop the killings same way they want GEJ to waste country's resources on a useless Amnesty that won't work.