Gen Buhari finally Backs Amnesty for Boko Haram

THE purported amnesty programme being considered by the Federal Government for members of the Boko Haram sect got another boost yesterday as the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) threw his weight behind the programme.

The former military Head of State, while speaking with reporters in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on his way to Ikenne to pay condolence to the Yeye Odua, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo on the death of her son, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, said whatever would bring peace to Nigeria must be pursued.

Accompanied by the former House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari, CPC National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, and the party’s vice presidential candidate in 2011 election, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Buhari said “It is good that they have set up a committee on amnesty. I have not seen the terms of reference, but it is a right step in a right direction.

“This is not the first time amnesty would be given to a violent group. You remember it happened in the time of Yar’Adua when he gave amnesty to militants, but whatever would bring us peace as a society, we should do it,” Buhari stated. - Tribune