Boko Haram: Where is the President of Nigeria?

By Msonter Anzaa

Panic and anger were reported across the nation when in the week before the last, Boko Haram released its terror timetable. The timetable listed twenty Nigerian universities to be bombed including the University of Ibadan and the University of Benin. Last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited the family of the late leader of the sect, Malam Mohammed Yusuf. But just as the dust generated by the visit could settle, Malam Yusuf’s in-law who received Chief Obasanjo was killed. What really does Boko Haram want and how can the federal government of Nigeria end this cycle of violence and ensure peace and security nationwide?

While the threat of attacks on the universities may not have materialized, it is clear why Boko Haram chose them in the first place. The group believes western education is bad and must be eliminated across the nation. It seeks to find the basis for its activities in religion. The fundamental question of what it wants can only be answered if the ideals of the group are known. Though it has been condemned by Islamic leaders and their followers, Boko Haram considers itself an Islamic sect. It seeks justification in the Holy Book of Islam and believes it is fighting the cause of God. The conflict between whether the group is really a religious sect, a mere political or even criminal group seeking attention, is great. However, the government of Nigeria has a duty to protect its territory and must not allow religion or tribalism, threaten its peace.

The group’s main reason for its activities may be gleaned from fall outs of Chief Obasanjo’s visit. The man who received the former President said, “we are confident that Obasanjo’s visit would resolve the Boko Haram crises in Borno State. We are 100 percent sure that President Obasanjo has all it takes to for the Boko Haram crises to be solved”. Alhaji Baba Fugu also made some demands on the government which include and unreserved apology by the federal government to the family of the slain leader, putting his killers on trial, release of detained group members and compensation of the group for the losses it has incurred in its activities.

It is interesting to note that the main reason given for the sect’s activities was not even mentioned in its conditions for peace. Take the statement that Chief Obasanjo has all it takes to solve the crises for instance. What does it mean? Does it mean Mr Obasanjo has the power to ban western education in the country? For all the majority of Nigerians know is that Boko Haram does not want education. Now the murder of Baba Fugu points to the fact that there is division in the group. It has been reported that how to share the “national cake” Chief Obasanjo may have dropped was a possible cause of the disagreement. Another reason for his murder could be that the group was angry at him for making himself its spokesman.

One thing that stands out from Baba Fugu’s statement is that Boko Haram’s problem is not hatred for education as such. Else, how can its radical stand against education be reconciled with Fugu’s demands? The group is obviously just seeking attention. It is right in demanding the trial of the killers of its leader, but to demand the release of its detained members including those standing trial for various terrorism offences is unreasonable. Take the demand for apology for instance. What would be its basis? Even before their leader’s murder, they were burning down police stations and attacking security personnel. So the federal government was not the originator of the trouble. Why then apologise for an offence for which it shouldn’t bear any responsibility? An apology by the government would mean it recognizes its fault and now admits that western education is bad! Of course, that was the idea that brought the war in the first place.

Now supposing all the demands were met, would Boko Haram cease its atrocities? Would western education suddenly become good if the group is granted an amnesty and a Ministry of Boko Haram Affairs is created? The group has shown itself to have no real agenda to pursue. It is only a product of the Nigerian political system where every individual must go to government to “cut” the “national cake”; a system where individuals hungry for power begin to cry marginalization and whip up sentiments. I have always argued that the trouble of internal insecurity in Nigeria is poverty, corruption and poor governance. Because the presence of government is not felt beyond Aso Rock, individuals become neglected and frustrated, so they improvise strategies to gain the attention of an otherwise deaf government. It is obvious that Managing Directors of companies do not abandon board meetings to go and plant bombs just because they have suddenly received a revelation that western education is bad. It is the idle ones, some of whom have passed through Nigeria’s educational system many times without actually being educated. These are the ones who decide that they must take revenge on the society for making them helpless to themselves.

While bad governance is to blame, the federal government must not sit and watch the nation become a human abattoir. We must not proceed on the basis that since there are going to be negotiations with Boko Haram, the group should be treated with kid gloves. Interestingly, since its most frequent violent activities came to the fore recently, President Goodluck Jonathan has not taken a definite stand on the crisis. Such a situation provides room for escalation as the group probably feels it can do anything and still have the government caught up in its inability to take a firm position. What is the President’s agenda towards the group? Does he want negotiations? And if he does, under what conditions would he negotiate with the group? Is he going to subscribe to the idea that western education is bad?

At all times, the President of Nigeria must be seen to lead and direct national policy. He must not become a mere object driven about by circumstances. The President must rise above the fear of sentiments and defend the constitution as he has sworn in the oath of office. He must make it clear that while the government would address the fundamental issues in the long run, it would not fold its arms allow innocent citizens be murdered and economic activities disrupted. The President must send a clear message to the sponsors of these acts that there is going to be no impunity. The trouble in Nigeria is the myth around governance. What things so hold the President’s hands that he is unable to take a clear stand on a matter of life and death for his people? The impact of governance can be sent across more readily by a President who acts and has a clear sense of what he wants to get done. Unfortunately, President Jonathan carries himself about like an unsure individual, so careful not to upset certain stereotypes that he is going to make no impact.

In the final analysis, Boko Haram must be given the attention it needs. When it would have laid down its arms and stated in clear terms what its real grievances are, the government must incorporate those issues into a durable national plan to be implemented. The government of Nigeria must be sincere in setting the nation free from poverty and bad governance. It must send a strong and clear message to every one that no crime committed on whatever basis will not be negotiated but punished diligently. And a combination of maximum rule of law, sincerity, responsive and accountable governance is what is needed for peace to reign once more in this nation under God.

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