Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111 , has called on the Federal Government to identify individuals behind the Boko Haram debacle and engage them in dialogue with a view to resolving the issue.
Speaking during a dinner with journalists in his palace in Sokoto on Sunday, the monarch maintained that by identifying the leadership of the sect, it would enable the Committee on Security Challenges in the North-east set up recently by government to urge the military and the sect to stop hostilities and embrace dialogue.
He noted that many innocent people were killed in Borno State in the last few months, pointing out that, dialogue is very critical because even wars are fought to keep peace.
The monarch chided those individuals who are calling on the federal government not to dialogue with the sect, saying they don't want peace to reign in the country.
According to him, the situation in Borno is very complex because those behind the violence are not known and as such the onus is on the committee to look out for the leadership of the sect and engage them in talks in order to identify their demands.
"The situation in Borno is very complex; you cannot dialogue with somebody you don't know, so the committee should look out for the leadership of the sect and find out what are their terms. They should try to find who are their leaders and spokesmen and reach an accord with them in order to have a ceasefire,'
"In fact, the committee should find a way to appeal to the leadership of the sect to stop bombing and come out from their hiding place while the Joint Task Force should also ceasefire in order to stop the bloodshed. Talking is very important and is critical to finding an amicable solution to the violence," the monarch advised.
The Sultan observed that field operation was the most difficult aspect of military operations due to the fact that the members of the religious sect are not known.
He described the wanton killing of innocent citizens as pathetic and stressed the need for the JTF to adhere to the rules of engagement in order to minimise casualties.
On Islamic banking, the monarch emphasised that most people are struggling to meet up with their basic needs and lack the money to patronise such banks.
He described Islamic banking as an economic venture and wondered why Nigerians are dissipating their energy on the matter while at the same time ignoring myriad of problems bedeviling the polity.
"We have a lot of problems and most people cannot even have three square meals. There are problems of electricity, lack of food, poverty and increase in price of food items. Let us face the real problems and try to tackle them. Forget about Islamic banking, catholic banking or Jewish banking and leave it to those who want it,"
"Actually, I don't see it as any issue that will generate controversy and what I know is that so many political leaders who happen to be Christians are not even against Islamic banking," the monarch averred.
He, therefore, urged journalists to be professional and patriotic while discharging their assignments by refraining from acts capable of tarnishing the image of the country.
The Sultan added that the role of the media is very critical in the economy of any nation, hence the need for journalists to avoid reports that will create disharmony and conflict in the polity.
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Its is doubtful if this Sultan expects to be taken seriously. His disingenuous advice suggests total ignorance or amnesia, may be, of the numerous government overtures for peace dialog. The Boko Haram scoffed all the advances. It raises the question as to whether it is more of hypocrisy than of ignorance and amnesia. The islamic Supreme leader knows too well that "The situation in Borno is very complex; you cannot dialogue with somebody you don't know, so the committee should look out for the leadership of the sect and find out what are their terms. They should try to find who are their leaders and spokesmen and reach an accord with them in order to have a ceasefire,". He wants us to take it that the committee is a bunch of magicians and seers in the rank of the great Hudini, who can identify the sponsors and leaders of the deadly islamic fundamentalist, much easier that himself- the Supreme islamic Leader. To shirk this responsibility and shift the burden of will-o-the-wisp chase is, to say the least, insincere and mischievous. Thie Sultan has squandered the the nations goodwill. This he did by his misguided saber rattling, shenanigans and demagoguery. He had instigated the islamic community to "shed the last drop of blood" to propagate faith-based agenda like the 'Islamic Bank". He acknowledges that the Boko Haram has engaged in wanton killing of innocent folks. At the same time, he demands that the authorities "APPEAL to leaders" of the criminal fundamentalists to stop the massacre of innocent people. In other words, the government of the land should throw its arms in surrender to murderers on "THEIR TERMS". It is shocking that this man, a retired Officer of the Nigerian Army, suggests that the same army in which he proudly served, must capitulate to criminals. That is abominable and sacrilegious. What type of government would do a dumb thing as to APPEAL to criminals to stop murder. as powerful as they are the Mexican government is not "appealing" to the drug cartels to quit crime. The Sultan is not even appreciative of the efforts of the JTF as its put their lives in harms way. If there is anybody that knows the leaders and sponsors of these deadly islamic fundamentalists , it is this Sultan. He cannot be the Supreme Islamic Spiritual leader for nothing. An exhortation to groups to draw blood. is characteristic of violent people. This Sultan is a violent man. He does the nation a disservice by withholding critical information, while expecting the JTF and the Committee to conjure up the leaders of the criminal gang. It the same nation that spends the taxpayers money for his upkeep. The nation demands and expects service from him. Otherwise, continued payment those allowances should be subjected to debate. The taxpayers will not continue to feed their money to squirrels. The equally dumb journalists, whose dinner the Sultan was served, failed to ask him pointed question to explain the potential ramifications of his egregious postulations. It is hardly dignifying for the Sultan to speak from both corners of his mouth. His recent missteps have diminishes his relevance in national discourse and confined his influence and authority within a kingdom of primordial parochialism.
jerry and jerry..........please help us