The leadership of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its support behind the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute a committee to examine the possibility on offering amnesty to the Boko Haram Islamist sect.
The party said that the action of the President was another evidence of his sincerity and forthrightness in handling national issues and called his constituting the committee ‘commendable’.
This was contained in a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, which said the President had shown that he was indeed a listening leader and that the unity of the country was of paramount importance to him in line with the vision of the nation’s founding fathers.
The statement said, “We believe the initiative of the President in setting up the amnesty committee is the best decision at the moment and we are optimistic that this drive will yield the desired results in the general good of our nation and restore our unity.
“In giving the committee the terms of reference to consider the feasibility or otherwise of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram members and to collate the clamour arising from different interest groups, who want the Federal Government to administer clemency on members of the religious sect and to recommend the modalities for granting amnesty if necessary, the President has again shown his humility and commitment to carry all Nigerians along in line with the tenets of democracy.
“We assure Nigerians that the PDP remains resolute in the commitment to restore peace in the country, especially in the North and to return the region to its lost glory as the hub of unity, investment and trade in the country and the West African sub-region.”
In Metuh’s words, the Northern region was the most receptive part of the country, as there was no part of the country more accommodating that the North which has always been home for all people, irrespective of religious creed and tribal affiliations.
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