FG should dialogue with Boko Haram – YCE

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN — Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE,  has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to call the Islamic fundamentalists sect, Boko Haram to a round-table discussion so as to stop violence and blood-letting in the country.

The advice of the socio-cultural group was contained  in a seasonal greeting addressed to the President.

The statement dated 31st December, 2012, was  signed by the National Treasurer of the Council, Dr. Dejo Raimi on behalf of its President, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo.(rtd)

‘’We would like them to know that nothing shall be achieved by mindless blood-letting. In all of human history, great wars that were fought were equally concluded, not on the battle field, but at the conference room,” the council stated.

It further stated that for over three years of rebellion, nothing had been achieved. The apex Yoruba organisation also advised the sect to open its doors for dialogue.

The ‘Igbimo Agba Yoruba’ urged the group to bring any issue bothering it to government rather than engage in unnecessary violence.

‘’In over three years of open rebellion against the state, Boko Haram has not achieved anything positive, rather, their activities have left behind sorrow, tears and blood in that many promising young men, women and elders alike have been sent to their untimely graves,” the group said.

The Yoruba elders commended President Jonathan for his ‘’maturity, diligence, tenacity and charisma,” with which he handled the affairs of the nation.

‘’The major challenge that your administration has battled so seriously is the issue of security,” YCE stated.

On the issue of fuel scarcity, the council recalled  last year experience which it described  as unpalatable.

‘’We suggest that any major policy implementation in the future should be preceded by adequate public enlightenment and sensitisation to avoid such breakdowns,” the Council advised.