APC calls for Reno Omokri's arrest, cautions presidency not to profit from Boko Haram killings
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said the failed attempt by a presidential aide, Reno Omokri, to link suspended Governor of Nigeria's Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi, to the increased attacks by Boko Haram, has shown that the presidency may be seeking to profit from the insurgency that has led to the death of thousands of people…
In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the APC said Mr. Omokri's attempt to push an article he authored into the public domain, using a fake name, is the clearest indication yet that the presidency has a case to answer and may have been feeding Nigerians with doctored information. It said the attempt to blame the recent spate of attacks by Boko Haram on Mr. Sanusi raises some pertinent questions: “Is the presidency trying to gain political mileage from the death of innocents Nigerians, including school children, whom it could not protect? Could this be why the government has largely treated the insurgency with levity, especially in its early days? Does the presidency know more than it is telling Nigerians on Boko Haram? Is there a government Boko Haram that acts on instructions from some quarters? Is anyone in government profiting financially from the battle against Boko Haram that they may be sabotaging efforts to end the insurgency?
The best way to know the answers to these questions is for the State Security Service to immediately arrest and question Omokri on why he was trying to act by subterfuge to misinform Nigerians, how long he has been engaged in this shameful and irresponsible act, what his connections are, if any, with Boko Haram, and whether or not his handlers, including the President, approve of his chicanery,” the APC said.
The party said Mr. Omokri's action should be seen within the context of some curious coincidence between several past Boko Haram attacks and certain low moments and/or at critical junctures in Mr. Jonathan's administration.