Insurgency Revelation: APC Exonerates Self; Urges Jonathan To Allow Law Takes Its Cause

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Politics Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

By Niyi Adeyi

Following last Thursday allegations by the Federal Government appointed Negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis against some chieftains of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on connivance with the dreaded Boko Haram, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has exonerated itself and demanded President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the full wrath of the law to be visited on the named suspected sponsors.

APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun made the call Tuesday in Abuja during a press Conference at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Chief Oyegun said: “We have been vindicated. We have no hand in the Boko Haram insurgency. The raison d’etre of our party is the well-being and security of Nigerians”.

He stressed now that the cat has been let out of the bag and the real sponsors of Boko Haram have been exposed, we hope President Goodluck Jonathan would summon the courage to do the right thing, by handing over the identified Boko Haram sponsors to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation and prosecution.

Dr. Davis in an international television live interview broadcast last Thursday had indicted both former Borno state Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff (PDP stalwart) and a former Army Chief, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, as the sponsors of dreaded militia group.

APC therefore declared that there was no doubt that Boko Haram has committed crimes against humanity in its scorched-earth campaign against unharmed citizens and “the most appropriate body to investigate and try the sect’s sponsors is the ICC.”

Citing Article 17 of the Rome Statute that set up the ICC and to which Nigeria is signatory, the party insisted the ICC was the court of last resort, expected to exercise its jurisdiction only if states themselves were “unwilling or unable genuinely to investigate and prosecute international crimes”.

Chief Oyegun maintained that in view of the fact that the alleged Boko Haram sponsors were either members of the ruling party or friends of Mr. President, was a clear proof that the PDP-led Federal Government was “unwilling and unable to try them”, yet, demanded that the law must take its cause.

The party promised it would not allow the issue to be swept under the carpet, especially, now that confirmation has emerged that the “PDP was behind Boko Haram for the sole purpose of winning next year’s Presidential Election…”

APC therefore called on Nigerians to prevail on the ruling party and the Presidency to urgently end the raging insurgency, the daily killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians, adding that President Jonathan must come to terms to the fact that “he is the Commander-in-Chief!..”therefore must do all it takes to stop the growing mess in the North-Eastern part of the country.

Chief Oyegun who berated PDP and the Presidency on flimsy accusations against APC, recalled what it described as “ratcheted…attacks, on it. According to Oyegun, the attack involved hiring of a foreign firm – Levick, with whooping US$1.2 million as well as a number of “out-of-luck hack writers and pseudo analysts” to help push the narrative”. Despite these, the opposition party helmsman indicated the party waited.

He emphasized the negotiator who exposed Boko Haram sponsors was appointed by President Jonathan, therefore, has no “axe to grind, neither does he have any motive to shield the APC or portray the PDP/Presidency in bad light. Oyegun added if at all he had any sympathy, it could have been for his employer.

“We have said it all along. Boko Haram was politicized purely for one reason, and one reason only: To be used as a trump card for President Jonathan to win another term. For that strategy to work, the APC, which they see as the only stumbling block to the PDP’s victory in 2015, must be maligned and labeled.

“Gullible, duplicitous and self-serving politicians like Femi Fani-Kayode swallowed the bait, hook, line and sinker, and started parroting the glaring lies. PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh, an obvious pawn on the chess board, followed suit, labeling a party that comprises Nigerians of all ethnic and religious hue a Janjaweed and Islamic party. Now he is stewing in his own juice”, Chief Oyegun contended.

The party regretted that in view of politicization of fight against the insurgency, the Nigerian military which was globally acclaimed for its impressive showings at various peacekeeping missions around the world, has since suffered collateral damage, sequel to the betrayers influence in the force.

Oyegun recalled when the incumbent Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima raised the issue relating to poorly-equipped troops and their low morale, “he was roundly pilloried” by the PDP and government officials.