Shema hails Jonathan on amnesty

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has described as a welcome development the setting up of a committee to look into the call for amnesty for members of the Jama’atul Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram.
President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, set up a committee among the members of the National Security Council to examine the feasibility of amnesty for the dreaded sect members.
The committee, which will work with the Office of the National Security Adviser, has two weeks to report back to the President.
Its terms of reference are: to consider the feasibility or otherwise of granting pardon to the Boko Haram adherents; Collate clamours arising from different interest groups who want the apex government to administer clemency on members of the religious sect; and to recommend modalities for the granting of the pardon, should that become an option under the prevailing circumstance.
Governor Shema, who met with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa on Friday, also advised members of the sect to embrace the dialogue option.
He said: “My advice is that there is no nation that can progress without peace and stability.
“We need peace and all hands must be on deck.
“Those who are aggrieved for one reason or the other should come forward and be able to resolve this crisis, such that our nation and our people can progress and develop rapidly.
“I believe if a security committee is set up in good faith, it is for the good of Nigeria and for the resolution to the crisis that has bedevilled most of Northern Nigeria on the issue of insecurity.
“So if a committee on amnesty is set up, it is done because Nigerians and leaders from the Northern part of the country are yearning for a quick resolution to the matter.
“And the President is responding positively to this request so that our nation can go on in peace, progress and development.”
Also speaking with correspondents after a separate meeting with the President, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, said: “Wisdom has prevailed.
“It is all about what do we do to secure out country, especially when Nigeria becomes a country that is very secure and stable so that we confront the problems of human development.
“This country needs our energy, our political skill and a number of things which are begging for attention.
“Therefore whatever it is to be able to get Nigeria united, so to get Nigeria very secure we should do it.
“So, ignore whatever has been the other misconceptions.
“We are now doing the right thing.”