Following his refusal to mediate for the Boko Haram in the proposed peace talks with the Nigerian government, many political analysts have described Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s decision as a right political decision.
According to them, the former Head of States made the right choice for not accepting the responsibility.
Reacting to Buhari’s action, a renowned political scientist and a senior political science lecturer at the University of Abuja, Prof. Dauda Saleh, affirmed Buhari made the right choice
He said: “It was really a dilemma. On one hand, if he had accepted the offer, there was the possibility that he would have been linked to the group and that would have been a serious liability and could have ended his political career. This is more so because some people seem to have the impression that he is an Islamic fundamentalist, who had a religious agenda.
“But on the other hand, rejecting the offer, some people would say he turned down an opportunity to help solve a major national problem. So, both options had the potential of hurting his political career one way or another. But, I think he made the right choice.”
Also, the Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Lagos, Prof. Solomon Akinboye, noted that the retired General took a good decision on the matter for not accepting to stand in for a faceless group.
Her words, “The man (Buhari) said he does not know them (Boko Haram), so, he cannot mediate for them. It was his decision to make and I think he was right in taking that decision. Whether his decision would affect his political career is another issue.
“However, if he had accepted and was able to help curb the insecurity in the country, it would have been a plus for him. It was really a political dilemma. Now, some people might see him as running away from an important national service.”
Also reacting, the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, described Buhari’s action as a welcome development.
According to Shettima, the proposed dialogue is heading for a big hit, saying that nomination of Buhari might be a trap to damage the reputation of the national leader of CPC.
He said, “Buhari’s rejection of the offer of the mediatory role is a welcome development and that is because I don’t see anything coming out of the so-called dialogue.
“I believe there are still sign that the whole negotiation will not hold water and it is not proper for Buhari, with the reputation he has built over the years, to get involved in such activity.
“Buhari said he did not know these people called Boko Haram and you cannot expect him to stand for people he has not met. They should have chosen clerics or some other prominent people in the North, not Buhari who is leading an opposition party. Whether you like it or not, this move has a political undertone. It is either a booby trap set by the government of the day to mess Buhari up, or those people behind Boko Haram want to mess him up.”
He added that his refusal indicates that there was no connection between Buhari and the dreaded sect over his fallout at the 2011 presidential election.
Comments