To promote national inclusion, the Northern Development Forum (NDF), a pan-north organization, has given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration a two-week deadline to pardon Boko Haram and northern criminals.
The organization, which based its requests on what it referred to as the “prosperous life now being lived by ex-agitators in the Niger Delta,” cautioned that if its demands are not satisfied, it cannot guarantee peace in the north.
The NDF claimed in a news release issued by its spokesperson, Sheriff Abubakar, that the only way the north will be spared from Boko Haram and bandit attacks is if the Tinubu administration grants the rebels amnesty like the late Umar Musa Yar ‘Adua did upon taking office.
The group went on to claim that the insurgents from the Niger Delta had received unparalleled support from the Nigerian government for the past 15 years and counting, leaving those in the North in utter poverty and privation.
The demands it made for Boko Haram and the bandits included a declaration of amnesty, the granting of scholarships, the development of capability, and the creation of a cooperative system.
The statement reads in part: “Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are writing you today as concerned citizens and advocate for justice and unity in our great nation. Recent events have brought to light the urgent need for amnesty to be granted to Northern agitators popularly known as Boko Haram and bandits, paralleling the historic amnesty granted to Niger-Delta militants during the tenure of our late brother, President Umar Yar ‘Adua.
“We strongly urge you to consider this proposal and take decisive action to promote peace, inclusivity, and national cohesion.
“We are aware that on account of Amnesty to Niger Delta agitators, some of them have transitioned to politicians holding critical positions as Speaker of State House of Assembly, House of Representatives member, members of State Assemblies, among other sensitive political offices, while others are now successful business people creating wealth and jobs. We want the same for Boko Haram and bandits.
“The Niger-Delta Amnesty Programme, initiated in 2009, played a pivotal role in mitigating the conflicts in the region and fostering lasting peace. The program offered a pathway for former militants to reintegrate into society, providing them with rehabilitation, education, and employment opportunities.
“Today, we find ourselves facing a similar situation in the North, where agitations and conflicts have escalated to an alarming dimension. We mustn’t ignore the plight of our fellow citizens who are voicing their concerns through agitations.”
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