Oritsejafor tackles Senator Bukar Ibrahim

… Over comment on Boko Haram
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has said that the recent comment of Bukar Abba Ibrahim that the reason for the action of the Boko Haram sect is inequality, neglect and injustice, is overly reckless, irresponsible and insensitive.
In a statement made available in Abuja by the Special Assistant to the CAN President on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, Oritsejafor also said it was naïve for Ibrahim to reason that if the Federal Government dialogued with Boko Haram, the sect would limit itself to concessions made when they had stated clearly that their aim was to do away with western education and enthrone the Islamic law of Sharia.
Oritsejafor advised Ibrahim not to panic into making recommendations that were shortsighted, saying as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he should not take counsel from only a section of a state or region. He added that he expected the former two-time governor of Yobe State, to help put the sect in strict subjection to the laws of the land, rather than treading the dangerous path of dialogue which had always been truncated by harsh conditions from the sect members.
“The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, notes with concern, the statement credited to Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was twice governor of Yobe State, that government must dialogue with the Boko Haram sect, while also insisting that the reason for the action of the sect is inequality, neglect and injustice. “Pastor Oritsejafor believes that the statement by the Senator that “we can find a way really to help dialogue with this group; after all, they are all Nigerians at least as far as we know…” is overly reckless, irresponsible and insensitive, just as it is a panacea for encouraging the increasingly violent and daring sect.
“In the first place, he says, it is naïve for Ibrahim to reason that if the Federal Government dialogues with Boko Haram, the sect would limit itself to concessions made when they have stated, clearly, that their aim is to do away with western education and enthrone the Islamic law of Sharia’ah. “The President of CAN advises Ibrahim not to panic into making recommendations that are short-sighted and that as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he should not take counsel from only a section of a state or region.
“He expects Ibrahim to help put the sect in strict subjection to the laws of the land, rather than treading the dangerous path of dialogue, which has always been truncated by harsh conditions from the sect members,” the statement read. Oritsejafor also said Ibrahim must bear a heavy responsibility for the spiraling violence of Boko Haram against Christians in Yobe State if he now speaks of inequality, neglect and injustice, which are direct consequences of the neglect of the people by those who govern them, himself a two-time governor of Yobe State inclusive.
“If today, the people are fighting biting poverty, inequality and injustice as Ibrahim would want us to believe, it is his likes that should be held responsible for being the sources of their poverty. “In that case, Boko Haram’s anger should have been directed at leaders like Senator Abba Bukar Ibrahim who have not allowed their members to take full advantages of the vast economic opportunities that exist in Northern Nigeria,” Oritsejafor submitted.