We will negotiate with Boko Haram from point of strength – Presidency
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigeria Government on Saturday clarified reported possible negotiation with the Boko Haram sect.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, entitled “Amplification of comments on negotiations with Boko Haram”.
The statement, which pointed out similar act done by the United States of America with Talibans in Afghanistan at some point said, the Federal Government will not shy away from any negotiation initiated by the Boko Haram sect, but added that if the government will go into such negotiation, it will be from a point of strength and not weakness.
It stated further that, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has won such insurgency before, was now poised to win the fight against Boko Haram.
The statement reads, “Most wars, however, furious or vicious, often end on the negotiation table. So, if Boko Haram opts for negotiation, the government will not be averse to it.
“Government will, however, not be negotiating from a position of weakness, but that of strength. The machinery put in place, and which will be set in motion soon, can only devastate and decapitate insurgency.
“It is multinational in nature, and relief is on the way for Nigeria and her neighbours. President Muhammadu Buhari is resolute. He has battled and won insurgency before. He is poised to win again. It is a promise he made to Nigerians, and he is a promise keeper.
“But I say again, if the insurgents want to negotiate, no decent government will be averse to such. Didn’t the Taliban and Americans also negotiate in Afghanistan?”.
