granting amnesty to Boko Haram as recently canvassed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation said the sect had neither shown repentance nor met the four conditions for amnesty.
According to him, the demand by the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs was “premature and uncalled for.”
Falae in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja also faulted the Presidential pardon, which was granted to a former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diprieye Alamieyeseigha.
He said, “I think many national leaders including my own leader in Afenifere have already spoken on that matter. Our position is that you only grant amnesty to people whom you know, who have stated grievances, who have revolted against their countries and who are now penitent and have decided and agreed to abandon violence.
“Those are the four conditions which must be satisfied before anyone can contemplate amnesty.
“None of the above has been fulfilled; so while not ruling out amnesty for anybody or group in Nigeria, the conditions must be fulfilled. Otherwise, amnesty will be meaningless, it will further poison the polity and send a wrong signal to other groups in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, National Chairman of the United Progressives Party, Chief Chekwas Okories, has warned that it is high time the Federal Government adopted measures to stop the killings in the North to rescue the country from the precipice.
Okorie said the targeting of citizens of a particular section of the country for elimination was a threat to the nation’s stability, sovereignty and unity.
He warned that it was not possible for those at the receiving end of the agony to endure the pains forever.
Okorie, the founding chairman of the All Progressivees Grand Alliance, said the recurring killings could result in a reprisal that could affect the corporate existence.
He lamented that President Goodluck Jonathan and the security agencies had failed in securing the lives of the citizens.
He said, “My view is that the government has failed the nation in protecting lives and property of the citizens.
“The Federal Government has no excuse to allow the occurrence of massive killings of defenceless citizens. The security agencies have not been proactive in this security situation that is degenerating into civil war.
“And the northern leaders who are canvassing amnesty for those behind these killings are not helping the matter at all.
“If the President cannot act, he should contact the British and the Americans to assist him.”
