A former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday warned the Federal Government against granting amnesty to the dreaded Islamist fundamentalist, Boko Haram as being canvased by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 and others.
He affirmed that the sect was yet to meet the four conditions for amnesty.
According to Falae, the request by the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs was “premature and uncalled for.”
He also flayed the Presidential pardon, which was granted to a former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diprieye Alamieyeseigha.
In his words, “I think many national leaders including my own leader in Afenifere have already spoken on that matter. Our position is that you only grant amnesty to people whom you know, who have stated grievances, who have revolted against their countries and who are now penitent and have decided and agreed to abandon violence.
“Those are the four conditions which must be satified before anyone can contemplate amnesty.
“None of the above has been fulfilled; so while not ruling out amnesty for anybody or group in Nigeria, the conditions must be fulfilled. Otherwise, amnesty will be meaningless, it will further poison the polity and send a wrong signal to other groups in Nigeria,” he added.
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