Stop playing politics with Boko Haram – Mamman Nasir

From Femi Oyelola,

Former President of Appeal Court and Chairman Advisory Council of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Justice Mamman Nasir, has warned Nigerian politicians to stop playing politics with insurgents in the country.

He stated this during a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, saying this development does not augur well with the grassroots people who are at the receiving end of this senseless killing and maiming that could have been stopped a long time ago if our leaders are united in their purpose.

According to the legal luminary, it is time those in the position of leadership and security agents realize that insurgency is a sensitive issue that should not be used as campaign slogan by anybody.

Justice Nasir also said the Sardauna Foundation after a special meeting on the state of the nation came to a conclusion that it is time for President Goodluck Jonathan to have a meeting with all former Heads of States and Presidents, traditional and religious rulers and governors of the 36 state on the insurgency in order to seek their advice on how they solved similar situation during their tenure.

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to eschew and swallow all insults and political abuse, half truths as the number one Head of the Nation and be a statesman and not a politician.

“It is very obvious that Nigerians were not united enough to fight insurgency. The most worrying aspect of the truth is that our leaders in active or passive politics do not seem to care for the lives and properties and indeed part of the country and the citizens have been lost. If there is unity, government will find it very easy to tackle the present situation?.”

He noted that the nation does not call for criticism, irrespective of the political parties differences.

“We need to Team up with Mr. President because we have not been teaming up with Mr. President and that is one of the reasons why we are unable to tackle insurgency.

“The press should also be more sensitive to security issues in their reports or information dissemination in order not to overheat the already tense situation” he concluded.