Tag: Jonathan
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Photo: Jonathan, Hollande, others at Paris summit
President Goodluck Jonathan, French President, Francosis Hollande and other African leaders at the Paris Regional Security Summit on Nigeria -
Summit on Boko Haram opens in Paris
A security summit to discuss strategies to tackle the threat from Boko Haram has opened in Paris, France.
The meeting was called by French President, Francois Hollande, after the sect abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, last month.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who is attending the talks, had to call off a visit to the town where the girls were seized for security reasons.
As West African leaders arrived, reports emerged of suspected Boko Haram attack in Cameroon.
Ten people are reported missing.
One person was hurt when militants attacked a Chinese camp near Cameroon’s porous border with north-eastern Nigeria.
Those missing had been working for Chinese company Sinohydro, China’s state news agency Xinhua said.
The BBC reports that militants have staged several attacks in Cameroon; last year they kidnapped several members of a French family, who were later released.
Boko Haram released a video earlier this week showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners. Their relatives have called for their unconditional release.
The girls, a mixture of Christians and Muslims, were seized on April 14 from their hostels at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibook.
President Jonathan has ruled out negotiations over their possible release, government officials say.
President Hollande will open the Saturday’s summit, and the leaders of Nigeria’s neighbours – Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad – were scheduled to attend the talks. Representatives from the United Kingdom, United States and European Union were also taking part.
A statement before the summit said delegates at the meeting will “discuss fresh strategies for dealing with the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in West and Central Africa.”
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC from Paris that Cameroon and Nigeria in particular had an important role to play in pooling their intelligence.
“There are many borders here and they are porous. The first focus of everything we’re doing is about the girls now, but that requires these countries to work together. Cameroon and Nigeria… have not enjoyed strong positive relations in recent years.”
Mr. Hollande discussed the issue on Friday in a phone call with US President Barack Obama.
The safe return of the 223 girls was now one of America’s main priorities, with US specialist teams and drones being involved in the rescue operation, the White House said.
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Nigeria at war with Boko Haram – Clark
The foremost Ijaw leader and elder states man, Chief Edwin Clark, on Friday said that Nigeria is at war with the Boko Haram sect.
He said the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls called for a sober reflection by Nigerians.
Chief Clark said these in Abuja when Orashi Women Patriotic Front paid him a courtesy visit in his Asokoro residence.
Clark said he had hoped the declaration of state emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by President Goodluck Jonathan would curb the killings in the northeast.
He said: “I thought the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe will curb the insurgence but I have realized that it did not.
“We are at war with evil forces, our daughters are suffering in the bush, let us pray that the God will deliver them from these evil men.”
He appealed to his supporters, friends and well wishers not to plan any celebration for his 87th birthday but rather prayers should be made for Nigeria.
“I know the activities of Boko Haram will soon end. We have no other country, we should love Nigeria and work together as one.
“In our Constitution, there is no religion that is superior than the other. It is a devilish idea to say one religion must be embraced by everybody,” Clark said.
He said that despite the defection of Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi to the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party is on course to retain the state in 2015.
“In 2015, Rivers State is a PDP state. And I do hope that the people of Rivers State will vote for PDP in the next election,” he added.
Earlier in her address, the President of the group, Joy Nwanochi, called on President Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015.
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Jonathan cancels Chibok visit
President Goodluck Jonathan has called off a visit to the town where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted, officials said.
Sources had told the BBC he would stop in Chibok, in Borno State, on his way to a conference in France where strategies to tackle the Boko Haram threat would be discussed.
But the visit was called off for security reasons, the officials said.
The President – under pressure over his government’s failure to rescue the girls – will fly direct to Paris.
The BBC says the cancellation of this visit underlines just how fragile the security situation is in the north-east.
On Thursday, the girls’ relatives called for their unconditional release by Boko Haram.
Jonathan is said to have ruled out negotiations over a possible release of prisoners.
Nothing was seen of the girls for almost a month after they were taken from Chibok.
But on Monday the group released a video showing more than 100 of them and offering an exchange for prisoners.
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Jonathan to visit Chibok today
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will today visit Chibok, Borno State where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted over a month ago by Boko Haram. The girls were kidnapped on April 15.
It will be Jonathan’s first visit to Chibok since the kidnappings. He will later in the day travel to Paris for a regional security summit.
Jonathan is under pressure to crush the rebels, who have killed thousands in their campaign for an Islamist state, and to free the girls, whose kidnapping has sparked global outrage.
The president has come under criticism for its slow response to the abductions.
Jonathan asked France last week to arrange a Paris security summit with neighbours Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin, and officials from the U.S., Britain and the European Union to discuss a coordinated response.
The summit is convened by President Francois Hollande to discuss fresh strategies for dealing with the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in West and Central Africa.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President will be joined at the summit by Heads of State and Government of Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
It reads: “It is also expected that Britain, the United States of America and the European Union will be represented at the talks which will give special attention to the coordination and intensification of efforts to curtail the destabilizing activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the wake of the recent abduction of college girls from Chibok, Borno State.”
He will be accompanied to France by the Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd.), the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and other principal aides and advisers,
Jonathan will return to Abuja at the conclusion of the summit on Saturday.
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Jonathan heads to Paris for security summit
President Goodluck Jonathan will travel to Paris, France, Friday to participate in a summit convened by President Francois Hollande to discuss fresh strategies for dealing with the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in West and Central Africa.
A statement issued on Thursday by the President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan will be joined at the summit by Heads of State and Government of Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Officials from Britain, United States and the European Union are also expected to attend the summit, put together to discuss a coordinated response to Boko Haram and other terror agents.
The statement said, “It is also expected that Britain, the United States of America and the European Union will be represented at the talks which will give special attention to the coordination and intensification of efforts to curtail the destabilizing activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the wake of the recent abduction of college girls from Chibok, Borno State.”
The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) as well as other principal aides and advisers.
President Hollande had on Sunday offered to host the summit following the global outrage that trailed last month’s abduction of the schoolgirls from their hostels at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
“With Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, I have proposed to hold a meeting with the countries bordering Nigeria. If the countries agree, it should take place next Saturday, “the French leader said during a visit to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on Monday.
President Jonathan returns to the country at the end of the meeting on Saturday.
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Jonathan visits Chibok Friday
To see things for himself, President Goodluck Jonathan will on Friday visit Chibok village in Borno State where over 200 schoolgirls of Government Girls Secondary School were abducted by the Boko Haram sect over a month ago.
Apart from the girls’ abduction attracting global outrage, condemnation and assistance, the President had earlier set up a fact-finding committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
According to presidential sources, who do not want their names in print, the President will use the visit to access the situation in Chibok and also meet with the parents of the girls and other key officials.
The President, who is also scheduled to be in France this weekend,will meet with Heads of State and Government of Benin Republic, Chad, Niger and Cameroon on how to strengthen and intensify collaboration against Boko Haram and other criminal organizations.
Officials from the United States, Britain and the European Union are also expected to attend the Paris meeting to discuss a coordinated response to Boko Haram and terrorism.
The President last week Tuesday accepted the offer by US President Barrack Obama to deploy security personnel and assets to assist Nigerian troops in the search and rescue operation for the Chibok girls.
Other world leaders and Heads of State and Government, who have indicated interest in the search for the girls include British Prime Minister, David Cameron; French President Fancois Hollande, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
The Israeli government also promised to send its counter-terrorism experts to support and assist Nigerian security agencies in the effort.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed his country’s commitment to help Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and also condemned the abduction of the girls.
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Jonathan overwhelmed by Boko Haram – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said President Goodluck Jonathan is overwhelmed by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The former president, who spoke in Nairobi, Kenya, said he took it upon himself in 2011 to go on a fact finding mission when the insurgency became uncontrollable to see how to mediate.
“I met people especially families who knew them. I wanted to find out if it was an organization which has aims and objectives and if they have a foreign backing,” he stated.
He said the group has leaders, adding that there was somebody who acted in proxy as a lawyer to the sect.
“The lawyer who was acting in proxy told me that Mr. President if you want to meet their leaders give me three hours. I will gather their leaders, not in Nigeria but outside Nigeria. Obviously they have leaders,” Obasanjo said.
When asked if carrot and stick approach will work in dealing with the sect, he said: “Well, if you had tried stick and stick alone and has not worked, is there anything wrong to try something along with the stick?
“I doubt it very much if you will consider that as wrong because in your introductory statement in this programme, you made the point that no matter how well meaning the President might have been his assertion that he will be on top of Boko Haram has not been achieved,” the former president said rhetorically.
Human rights activist, Shehu Sanni, said Boko Haram is a sect that has a theocratic agenda.
Sanni said the sect is unlike others in the north, adding: “There are sects in the north that say Nigeria should adopt Islam but they are not as fundamental.”
He said the use of force has not been able to yield any result.
He cautioned the Federal Government to get the girls out first before using force to subdue the sect.
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Lawyers to Fed. Govt: explore negotiation option
Some senior lawyers urged the Federal Government to explore the negotiation option in the bid rescue the abducted school girls.
They said if it means trading detained Boko Haram members for the girls, the government must do all in its power to free the girls.
According to them, the victims are too young to be left for too long in the hands of the terrorists.
A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said: “My view is that the government should not close any option in the light of the people the terrorists are holding.
“You’re talking about young schoolgirls. That in itself will inform a different consideration entirely. We should not toy with them.
“They should consider the fact that these are young girls that are with these terrorists,” he said.
Professor of Law, Itse Sagay (SAN) said the government has no choice but to negotiate with the terrorists, noting that the lives of the innocent girls were more valuable than those of Boko Haram suspects in prison custody.
“Is keeping the Boko Haram detainees in prison custody more important than the lives of those innocent girls?
“Government should negotiate with Boko Haram, if at the end of the negotiation, the way out is to surrender some of the detainees for our girls, so be it.
“I am not saying the government should take Boko Haram’s demands for it. There should be negotiations with the group,” he said.
Elder Paul Ananaba (SAN) said while it is no longer fashionable for government around the world to come out openly to say they are negotiating with terrorists, all options should be explored in this instance.
“The fact that they said some parents have recognised some of the girls and they can be rescued, my advice to government is to study thoroughly the offer of the swap and weigh the possibilities. Getting the girls rescued must be the priority.
“In essence, what I am saying is that if the best option available is to negotiate, they should weigh it carefully and come up with the best approach of going about it in the best interest of the girls, the parents and the country.
“There are people who are specialised in negotiating with terrorists and I think we should tap from their experience in this situation.
“If you are a parent and your girl is there, you would want to be on the side of the devil for negotiation and get your girl rescued.
“So, if it is the most viable thing to do, they should go ahead. I would give an example in this case. They are still searching for people in the Malaysian plane that crashed weeks ago even though there is no hope.
“So, rescuing the girls must be the primary thing to do. Any other step can follow.”
Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) said Nigeria shoud make any sacrifice to free the girls.
“The life of these children are more precious than that of any suspect or prisoner. It is better to release all these prisoners to their groups in exchange for these girls who have so many years to live and too young to be in that situation.
“They should be rescued and after that government can then face them, all these criminals. Whatever sacrifice Nigeria can make to get these girls released is not too much.
“Let these people (detained Boko Haram members) go and for the girls to be released. We can go and confront them later because we are afraid for the lives of these girls,” Fagbohungbe said.
Some lawyers, however, hold a different view. Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN) said: “I see the demand as a cheap blackmail. It will set a dangerous precedent to trade criminals for innocent underage secondary school children!
“We must not sacrifice decency on the altar of expediency.”
For Professor of law, Akin Oyebode, trading off the girls for terrorists in detention would be a sign of failure and downright helplessness by the government.
He stated that only Prisoners of War (POW) are traded and the said exchange is usually arranged by Red Cross.
“It is sacrilegious and a sign of weakness which should not be encouraged because it will encourage other armed groups to see mass hostage taking as an avenue to meet their demands from government.
“It is tantamount to surrendering to evil forces. Boko Haram have no conscience and an insatiable appetite for violence. How are we sure they won’t make more far reaching demands?” He queried.
Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Mr Yinka Farounbi, said: “I am a father, so I can imagine the feelings and the pains the parents must be going through. But honestly, and this is my candid opinion, you don’t negotiate with terrorists. When you negotiate with terrorits, you are giving them more powers; you are conferring legitimacy on them. What they did to these children is criminal.
“I am a parent and I can feel what they feel and I know that they want their children back. But when a government of a nation is negotiating with terrorists, it is a dangerous thing.
“Other ways, other means should be deployed to get these children released from the claws of the terrorists. We have gotten assistance from USA, Britain, France, China among others.
“It is only when these prove to be ineffective that the issue of negotiation can come and it should last option. Government should look at the other side of the coin and not engage in negotiation now. It should deploy other means,” Farounbi said.
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Jonathan seeks extension of emergency rule in three states
President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday asked the Senate to approve another six months extension of the ongoing emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States.
Jonathan’s letter which was read at plenary by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is the third of such request.
The two previous ones were approved by the Senate.
However, the Secretary of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North), opposed the request.
He said that even though the military needs more hi-tech equipment to fight the Boko Haram insurgents, it would be wrong to extend the emergency rule.
Jonathan, in the letter entitled: “Re: Extension of the period for the proclamation of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States” noted that the security situation in the three states remains daunting.
The letter reads in part: “May I respectfully draw your attention to the State of Emergency Proclamation 2013, in respect of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, which was approved by the National Assembly.
“By virtues of the provisions of section 305(6)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Proclamation aforementioned would have elapsed after six months from the date of approval of the National Assembly.
“However, after due consideration of the representations made of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to that effect, while substantial progress had been made to contain situation in the states, the development that necessitated the proclamation of a state of emergency was yet to abate.
“It would be recalled that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had upon consideration of the realities of the security situation in the affected States that had been placed before it graciously approved by resolution, the extension of the State of Emergency for a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the subsisting period.
“The security situation in the three States remains daunting, albeit to varying degrees, in the face of persistent attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect on civilian and military targets with alarming casualty rates.
“In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request Distinguished Senators to consider and approve by resolution, the extension of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States by a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the current term.”