Sultan To FG: Dialogue With Boko Haram Now

The Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has urged the federal government to take advantage of the ceasefire announced by a faction of the Boko Haram sect and start dialoguing with the sect without further delay.

The Sultan made this call yesterday in Sokoto when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, paid him a courtesy call in his palace.

He said that engaging in dialogue with the group had become even more important now than before since the faction's declaration of truce would serve as a leeway in getting across to other splinter groups within the Boko Haram sect, a move that would ensure unhindered peace in the polity.

He expressed joy at learning of the purported ceasefire offered by a faction within the Boko Haram sect few days ago, saying it provided a good opportunity for government to explore the possibility of restoring lasting peace to the country.

While noting that those clamouring for the break-up of Nigeria are simply making a noise to seek undue relevance, the Sultan said 'Nigeria would not break up but remain one entity.'

According to the Sultan, the political leaders know the problems of the country and its better for Nigerians to sit down together and resolve those issues instead of seeking disintegration.

'God cannot be wrong by bringing us together,' he said. 'He has a reason why he brought us together as Muslims and Christians. There are many issues that bind us together; there are many reasons why we should remain together as brothers and sisters in this country.'

The COAS, on his part, maintained that the unity of Nigeria was unquestionable and, therefore, it could be even be subjected to debate.

'The unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable and this is what we are all trained to preserve. When some people talk about breaking up the country, I assure you that Nigeria will not break up,' Ihejerika stated. (Leadership)