APC to President Jonathan: Compensate Boko Haram Victims Now

Posted by African Examiner Ayo Balogun, Featured, Latest Headlines, Muyiwa Bamidele, News Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Ayo Balogun, Lagos

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to as a matter of urgency compensate victims of Boko Haram attacks and killings.

APC Interim National Chairman, Bisi Akande

Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, who spoke in Sokoto, Nigeria, said the APC disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan’s stand that the Federal Government would not compensate the victims of the Boko Haram killings dating back to 2009, when the ongoing mindless and callous killings started.

“This is because such a decision, if upheld, will amount to double failure on the part of the Federal Government and double jeopardy for the victims. In the first instance, the killings and maiming have occurred because the Federal Government failed in its most important task of ensuring the security of lives and property.

“Secondly, the same government that failed to live up to the main reason for its existence, which is the security and welfare of the citizenry, is now failing to provide succour for the victims of its own failure.

“This constitutes double irresponsibility on the part of the government, and double jeopardy for the thousands of victims who have been killed and wounded by the insurgents,” he said.

Akande stated that after the people were victimized by Boko Haram, they were now being victimized by their government, saying this is unacceptable, and that Jonathan must have a rethink.

He said the APC believed that the issue of compensation for victims of Boko Haram should not be subject to any debate as all victims of the Boko Haram insurgency must be compensated without delay.

“They must be given succour. They must be made to feel that their government cares for them. Compensation cannot bring back the thousands who have been killed, but it can provide succour for the children, parents, brothers, sisters and other family members they left behind.

“Compensation cannot remove the scars on those who have lost limbs or become blinded due to the effect of gunshots or bombs, but it can help them to restart their lives and to know that they are not alone in their ordeal

“These people cut across religions, ethnicity and gender. They include Christians and Muslims, Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and people of other ethnic groups, as well as men and women, the old and the young.

“President Jonathan must not only ensure that the victims of Boko Haram insurgency are compensated, he must strengthen his resolve to ensure that Nigerians are well protected and catered for, irrespective of where they reside in the country. This is the meaning of governance,” he stated.