Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday urged the Federal Government to immediately disband the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North for its incompetence and insincerity.
Last week, Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki announced that the committee had reached a ceasefire agreement with members of the Boko Haram sect on behalf of the Federal Government. However, leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau soon released a video, claiming that his group “will not enter into any agreement with non-believers or the Nigerian government.”
On Monday, CAN argued that the committee was only deceiving Nigerians by laying claim to a ceasefire that never was. According to the Christian ecumenical group, Shekau’s denial at the weekend is proof that the committee has been lying to Nigerians; and a lying committee should not be allowed to remain in office.
“The pronouncement by Mr. Shekau, the real leader of Boko Haram, has come to vindicate CAN and our national leader, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. He was called many names when he said that he did not have confidence in the questionable announcement of a ceasefire between the Federal Government and Boko Haram,” CAN spokesman, Sunday Oibe wrote in a statement.
“Today Boko Haram’s number one man has come to speak with scorn and contempt against the ceasefire agreement. If you meet some of the committee members personally, some will confess to you in private that they have never met any foot soldier of Boko Haram, not to talk of any one near its leadership
“We in Northern CAN believe that the Amnesty committee is useless and has failed. It lied to Nigerians about this ceasefire just to fool President Goodluck Jonathan to extend its tenure so they can grab more money. All those giving President Jonathan this unwise advice are either doing it for self-serving reasons, or are trying to deceive him into a blunder that will not only destroy him politically, but jeopardise the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
CAN advised Christians in vulnerable places, as well as non-Christians who may be target of the demonic antics of Boko Haram, to be extra-vigilant.
“Northern CAN is calling for the immediate disbandment of the amnesty committee. All monies that would be squandered on the committee should be put into supporting the Joint Task Force and vulnerable communities in affected states. Enough of this jamboree with scarce public funds. Enough of hypocrisy,” the statement went on.
“Finally, there can be no amnesty for unrepentant murderers and insurgents without reconciliation with the victims. As Christians, forgiveness comes very naturally as taught us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but there must be show of genuine repentance. Therefore, the amnesty committee, even in its composition, was in the first place an insult to Nigerian Christians. And now, see how it has failed.”
