PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigeria's opposition party calls for dialogue with Boko Haram members
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Monday called for constructive dialogue as the only means of resolving the on-going security challenges in the country orchestrated by the religious sect, Boko Haram.
The ANPP governs two of the five states in North East region, including Borno.
The National chairman of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, advised Nigerians against politicizing the Boko Haram issue, saying all segments of the society had been affected by the activities of the sect.
According to Onu, “our great party is deeply worried about the increasing incidence of loss of lives in some Northern parts of the country, especially in Borno State, as a result of the activities of the Boko Haram sect. ANPP is the ruling party in Borno State. In the past one month, hardly a day passes, without reports of one bomb blast or the other either in Abuja, Bauchi, Kaduna, Suleja or Maiduguri.
"In the process, many have been wounded and maimed. Several other innocent citizens, including women and children have been killed in cold blood. Nobody is spared as virtually all Nigerians now live in fear of insecurity. Recent reports indicate that in Maiduguri, many residents are leaving the town in the fear of the situation worsening. Our great party has been adversely affected as many of our members in Borno State have been killed."
The ANPP chairman said “as a political party committed to the principles of peace and consensus building, we wish to point out that the Boko Haram crisis cannot be solved through law enforcement alone. We need to do more. It is our view that the lasting solution to the problem lies in intelligence gathering, seeking community support and the pursuit of dialogue with all concerned. We need to find out what their grievances really are; why they have resorted to the approach they use and the underlying motives and reasons behind their actions.
"This we believe, if carried out methodically and with sincerity of purpose, will arm the Federal Government with the appropriate strategy with which to find a permanent solution to the problem. As a political party we do not support violence. We respect the sanctity of human life. We seize this opportunity to restate our commitment to these ideals which we hold dear."
Onu stressed: “at this juncture, we wish to express our solidarity with the steps taken by the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, to solve this problem. Our great party is solidly behind him. We urge him to continue to work for peace and total reconciliation, for after rainfall would definitely follow sunshine! However, it has become necessary to emphasise that nothing should be done to politicize this great tragedy that has afflicted our nation.
"The security of life and property should remain the most basic responsibility of any good government. We have lost so many innocent lives. The unfortunate bleeding of human blood should stop. Nigerians deserve a secure environment to live and work in for the good and greatness of both our people and the nation.”
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome the current difficulties, saying, “It is our prayer that before long, these challenges we face will be overcome. We call on all Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to the attributes of love of neighbour and love of country as well as the conviction that Nigeria shall remain strong and united. It is a duty. It is a responsibility. I am confident that with faith in God, and confidence in ourselves, we shall climb the mountain top.”
-0- PANA MON/BOS 18July2011
The ANPP governs two of the five states in North East region, including Borno.
The National chairman of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, advised Nigerians against politicizing the Boko Haram issue, saying all segments of the society had been affected by the activities of the sect.
According to Onu, “our great party is deeply worried about the increasing incidence of loss of lives in some Northern parts of the country, especially in Borno State, as a result of the activities of the Boko Haram sect. ANPP is the ruling party in Borno State. In the past one month, hardly a day passes, without reports of one bomb blast or the other either in Abuja, Bauchi, Kaduna, Suleja or Maiduguri.
"In the process, many have been wounded and maimed. Several other innocent citizens, including women and children have been killed in cold blood. Nobody is spared as virtually all Nigerians now live in fear of insecurity. Recent reports indicate that in Maiduguri, many residents are leaving the town in the fear of the situation worsening. Our great party has been adversely affected as many of our members in Borno State have been killed."
The ANPP chairman said “as a political party committed to the principles of peace and consensus building, we wish to point out that the Boko Haram crisis cannot be solved through law enforcement alone. We need to do more. It is our view that the lasting solution to the problem lies in intelligence gathering, seeking community support and the pursuit of dialogue with all concerned. We need to find out what their grievances really are; why they have resorted to the approach they use and the underlying motives and reasons behind their actions.
"This we believe, if carried out methodically and with sincerity of purpose, will arm the Federal Government with the appropriate strategy with which to find a permanent solution to the problem. As a political party we do not support violence. We respect the sanctity of human life. We seize this opportunity to restate our commitment to these ideals which we hold dear."
Onu stressed: “at this juncture, we wish to express our solidarity with the steps taken by the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, to solve this problem. Our great party is solidly behind him. We urge him to continue to work for peace and total reconciliation, for after rainfall would definitely follow sunshine! However, it has become necessary to emphasise that nothing should be done to politicize this great tragedy that has afflicted our nation.
"The security of life and property should remain the most basic responsibility of any good government. We have lost so many innocent lives. The unfortunate bleeding of human blood should stop. Nigerians deserve a secure environment to live and work in for the good and greatness of both our people and the nation.”
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome the current difficulties, saying, “It is our prayer that before long, these challenges we face will be overcome. We call on all Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to the attributes of love of neighbour and love of country as well as the conviction that Nigeria shall remain strong and united. It is a duty. It is a responsibility. I am confident that with faith in God, and confidence in ourselves, we shall climb the mountain top.”
-0- PANA MON/BOS 18July2011
