Boko Haram: Stop being hypocritical, Saliu tells FG
- Shuaib Abdulkadir
- Jul 23, 2015
- 2 min read
Former Dean of Business and Social Sciences of the University of Ilorin, Professor Hassan Saliu said there is nothing wrong in the proposed peace talk with the leadership of Boko Haram by President Muhammadu Buhari in as much as it would bring about positive result for the nation.
Over the years, Saliu stated that the insurgents have proven hard nut to crack for Nigeria and shows that they could not be tame immediately which had unfortunately led to loss of thousands lives and huge funds.
The university don noted that time has come for Nigerians to be sincere with one another that force alone could not solve the insurgency, stressing that after all as big mighty as America is they dialogue with the Talibans when the need arises.
It would be recalled President Muhammadu Buhari had during working visit to the United States of America (USA) said he could dialogue with the Boko Haram subjected to if his administration could identify the authentic leaders of the insurgents.
He stated this while commenting on the development in the nation in an exclusive interview with National Pilot on Wednesday, saying that the president must be careful to ensure they dialogue with the right group.
“If they have tried all other options and failed what is bad in dialoguing with Boko Haram? After all, America dialogue with Talibans. Nigerians are only being hypocritical; this is a group that you cannot tame immediately. It has caused us lives, cost us money and affected our image internationally so if dialogue offers itself as the best opportunity I don’t see anything wrong in that.
“I fully support dialoguing with them but just as the president has said we must have to dialogue with the correct people because former president Goodluck Jonathan also dialogue but it was later discovered that he did not dialogue with the right calibre of people. So, Buhari should try to identify the authentic leaders of Boko Haram to dialogue with to free the Chibok Girls and the nation”.
On whether the proposed dialogue would not underscore the nation’s military, the former dean maintained that the military has nothing to lose on the issue due to the fact that its image has long suffered enough.
On those accusing Buhari to be going on slow pace, he called for maximum support and cooperation for the president as he bids his time to appoint best hands that could work with him to salvage the country.
He noted that things has gone bad in Nigeria and the president is quite aware of that which was why he is taking his time, advising that in appointing those that would work with him balance appointment should be made though.
Saliu however expressed optimism that with new method to be adopted and appointment of new service chiefs by the present administration, things would soon be rosy for the country again and the eluded peace would be returned.
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