Negotiating with Boko Haram a must - Shettima tells FG

By Ehi Ekhator

The Executive governor of Borno State, Kassim Shettima has said that the Federal Government should not ignore the option of negotiating with Boko Haram if that is the only way to bring back the abducted girls.

Shettima also expressed sadness towards the Jonathan’s delay before he could reach out to him after three weeks.

He disclosed this while answering questions from CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, yesterday. He decried the decision reached by President Jonathan not to go negotiate with the insurgents, adding that Nigeria had no option.

He said: “Do we have any other option? If I have to talk to the devil to secure the release of the girls, I will do so. President Jonathan did not act on time and did not talk to me over the kidnappings until 19 days after.’’

The chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, described Boko Haram insurgents as a bunch of lunatics.

Similarly, a former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, while speaking with CNN correspondent, Aisha Sesay, said she supported negotiation with the islamist sects, adding that the primary motive of swapping the girls for the sect prisoners should be to bring back the girls.

She said: “In many ways we hear about the conversation about negotiation. Understanding the kinds of options that are available, the downside of the options among others will enable us see the options open to us.

“Despite all these, the bottom line is that we want the girls released. We should be engaged in the negotiations. It should, however, be favourable to us. Whatever we do should result in an end game, which is that our girls should be brought back alive.”

Obiageli expressed disappointment that the matter had gone political, adding that the Federal Government and Borno State government were working at a cross purposes.

She said: “When we interacted with officials of the Federal Government and Borno State, it became clear that we are dealing with a situation where there is a complete breakdown of trust between them.

“We have lost so much to political in-fighting. Everyone should insubordinate their in-fighting and concentrate on bringing back the girls.”

 

Negotiating with Boko Haram a must - Shettima tells FG