NSA blames PDP for Boko Haram crisis APRIL 28, 2012 BY EMMANUEL ADDEH, WARRI Boko Haram The National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, on Friday in Asaba, Delta State, said the Peoples Democratic Party should be partly blamed for the increasing destruction visited on Nigerians by the Boko Haram sect. The sect, which operates in the northern part of Nigeria, has claimed responsibility for some bombings in the North, including Nigeria’s seat of power, Abuja. Azazi, at the second South-South Economic Summit, noted that the ruling party had not acted responsibly in taking the decisions that had security implications for the country. He made the allegation just as two prominent Americans, Mike Mullen, the 17th Joint Chief of Staff and former Mayor of New York, Rudy Guilliani, who were invited as lead speakers at the event, were turned back by their embassy on their arrival in Lagos for onward journey to Asaba “for security reasons.” Specifically, the NSA maintained that the rise in the activities of the sect just after the 2011 presidential elections was a pointer to his conclusion that the activities of the Islamic sect might be connected with politics. The former army chief said the decision of the PDP to exclude certain persons from taking part in the election, contrary to the provisions of the constitution, had assisted in fuelling the sect’s activities. Azazi emphasised that security issues were being politicised in the country, a development he noted had promoted insecurity in every part of the country. While tracing the origin of the sect and the inability of successive leaders to halt its activities, Azazi said, “Some people were wearing white garments 22 years ago and calling themselves Republic of Afghanistan in the North and some people said they were only keeping to their religion and that there was nothing wrong. “We try to play the ostrich and think things will blow over. I believe we should stop the politicisation of security issues in Nigeria.” “How come the extent of violence did not increase in Nigeria until the public declaration of the people that were going to contest election by the PDP? And I would also like to say this, though the PDP people will not agree with me, they would like to attack me, but I hope they do it in private. “PDP got it wrong from the beginning by saying Mr. A can go and Mr. B cannot go and these decisions were made without looking at the constitution.” Azazi submitted that there was a strong link between the resurgence of violence in the northern region and the last set of elections that were held in the country He added, “I believe there is a strong element of politicisation of the crisis, where some people were assured that they would win 80 per cent and they did not win. “Is it not amazing that after the elections the Boko Haram became better trained, better armed and better funded. But I can assure you that Boko Haram could not have that kind of sophistication without a backing.” According to the army General, arresting the leaders of the sect would not completely erase the group because their activities had given birth to other branches of violence, which would continue to raise their heads. “Today, if you arrest all the leaders of Boko Haram, I don’t think the problem would end, because the situation that created the sect has not been tackled e.g. poverty and the desire (of some people) to rule Nigeria. These issues cannot be isolated unless they are handled comprehensively.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 14:24:52 +0000