The Federal Government has criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments that the Boko Haram insurgency has become an agenda to ‘Fulanise’ West Africa and Islamise Africa.
The government in a statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged Obasanjo not to allow personal animosity override his love for a united Nigeria, advising him to withdraw his statement and apologize to Nigerians.
It said comments imputing ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram and ISWAP were deeply offensive and divisive, and far below the status of an elder statesman who had taken bullets for Nigeria’s unity.
The Federal Government’s position was backed by an Islamic group, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, which asked the former President to come clean with any grouse he might have against the Fulani ethnic group, saying his recent comments on the threats of Boko Haram and armed herdsmen in the country were unbecoming of a statesman.
However, Christian leaders and some stalwarts of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, said former President Obasanjo was in order and urged the government to do the needful to halt the slide into anarchy.
Among those who agreed with Obasanjo were the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN; the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins and NADECO stalwart and elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Others include National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Eddy Olafeso; National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Supo Shonibare; South-South leader, Col Tony Nyiam, rtd; and Brigadier-General Idada Ikponmwen, rtd.
SOURCE : VANGUARD
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