How FG Lost Opportunity on Dialogue with Boko Haram – Shehu Sani

A human rights activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, explained that his decision to withdraw from the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North

was caused by the manner in which the Federal Government bungled earlier opportunities he initiated for peace talks with the Boko Haram sect.

Mr. Sani gave explanations in Abuja on December 11, 2013.

The top officials of the government frustrated two peace moves involving former President Olusegun Obasanjo and an Islamic leader, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmed.

Mr. Sani also expressed the belief that the presidential committee would not achieve any result.

However, Sani’s decision to opt of the committee has been faulted.

Nevertheless, Sani explained that his decision to quit the presidential committee was informed by previous disappointments and a realisation that nothing would come out of the committee’s efforts.

Recounting what transpired in the first attempt to broker peace talks between the insurgents and the Federal Government, Sani said the following:

“Independently, I reached out to Boko Haram, I reached out to their leader – I offered myself to mediate.

“Unfortunately, I did not have the President’s (President Goodluck Jonathan) number, so I only reached out to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.” 

Punch