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Sunday, March 22, 2015

Chronicle Of APC Positions On Boko Haram Fight April 2013-date

Please, take your time to read, note the dates and the positions of APC/ACN in all these.

1. The Battle of Baga 2013
In April 2013, there was a heavy gun duel between the Army(headed by Ihejirika) and the Boko Haram in Baga, Borno state. According to report by the media 185 people were killed including Boko Terrorists and civilians. 

The fighting broke out in the remote fishing village of Baga, when gunmen/terrorist who were believed to be hiding among civilians opened fire on Nigerian soldiers. Military officials said the militants deployed heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades and used the civilian population as "human shields."
The army also denied the 185 casualty figure but admitted that there could be few civilian casualties.
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/22/world/la-fg-wn-nigeria-gun-battles-20130422

April, 2013: President Jonathan Response
President Jonathan who understands the mischief of foreign media and "so-called" right groups, ordered for "investigation" but showed support for the army. It is on record that some media and Right Groups are quick to shout "genocide" "massacre" "crime against humanity" etc whenever the Nigeria Army launches assault against Boko Terrorist. In the words of Ruben Abati,


“While the preliminary briefings indicate that the casualty figures being reported by the foreign media may be grossly exaggerated, President Jonathan assures Nigerians and the global community that the Federal Government of Nigeria places the highest possible value on the lives of all citizens of the country and that his administration will continue to do everything possible to avoid the killing or injuring of innocent bystanders in security operations against terrorists and insurgents. Rules of engagement for the military and security agencies are already in place for this purpose and the investigation ordered by President Jonathan into the incident in Baga is to amongst other things, determine whether or not these rules were fully complied with."


April, 2013: Baga Massacre; Crime Against Humanity – ACN Decries, Blames FG
Rather than stand by the army or keep shut, the ACN/APC blamed the Military and the President and called it "massacre" even without verifying what really happened. In the words of Lai Muhammed

‘’Enough is enough. Even in countries at war, innocent citizens are not being daily mowed to death either by insurgents or state forces, as we are experiencing in Nigeria. It is clear that the Nigerian government is either unwilling or unable to prosecute these crimes, despite the deceptive assurances by those at the helm, hence the ICC must immediately beam its search-light on the situation in Nigeria.”
http://www.osundefender.org/?p=98920
2. DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER BH
May 15,2013: Goodluck Jonathan declares emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to empower the Military to fight Boko Haram.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22533974

May 15, 2013: Though the CPC Chairman Tony Momoh CONDEMNED the declaration, National Publicity of the CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, hailed the declaration.

“We need to rally round the President in this trying period. We pray that with this action, peace will eventually return to the states. However, it is gratifying that the President did not behave like a former President(Obasanjo) who removed the political structures when he declared a state of emergency in some states. The action of President Jonathan has shown that the choice made by the people through the ballot would not be denied them. May God help our country"

May 16, 2013: NBA, NLC, CAN Hail declaration

Mr Okey Wali, President of the NBA(as at then)
“We have no doubt that the President has received fresh intelligence that necessitates a harder measure to be taken to forestall further mindless attacks on Nigerians by insurgents. We are indeed satisfied by the decision as it has not eroded the political structure of the three states; suffice it to say that democracy is still in place in those areas.

The NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar 

“I think first of all, we must understand that it is within the responsibilities of Mr. President to take whatever step he deems fit to ensure that there is peace and stability in this country. For Mr. President to have taken that decision would mean that definitely, he must have exploited all avenues and discovered that this is the best option. I want to commend that effort especially because of the way it is carried out. It would ensure that it is directly meant to ensure peace and security rather than being like a political victimisation. The pronouncement of the President shows that the executive, the legislature and the judiciary have continued to function.

May 16, 2013: ACN/APC, Tinubu Kicked Against The State of Emergency, Condemn Use of Force Against Boko Haram

ACN/APC Lai Muhammed
“We hereby REJECT the declaration of emergency rule in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and we call on the National Assembly to also reject it and not allow itself to be used to rubber-stamp a declaration that is largely cosmetic. If the medicine given to a patient has not cured his or her illness, is it not futile to prescribe more of the same medicine for the patient? If the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in four states in 2011 has not curbed the activities of the insurgents, why extend such measure to other areas? If the use of force in the affected states have failed to curtail the activities of the insurgents, why send in more troops?

APC Leader Bola Tinubu: 

“The response to the pervasive chaos in the Northern region of the country has been militarisation, mass arrests and extra judicial killings by the Joint Task Force, JTF, a convenient euphemism for an army of occupation seemingly set loose on the people of the localities concerned. “The tenor of the state of emergency declared by the Federal Government yesterday portends danger for the polity. The full militarisation of security operations in these states will compound the already tense situation.”
http://www.punchng.com/news/reject-emergency-rule-acn-urges-nassembly/
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/acn-tinubu-sani-kick-as-nlc-nba-can-back-action/ 

May 23, 2013: ACN/APC Further Reiterated Their Opposition The State of Emergency, Calls it Power Grab.
As reported by Vanguard
"ACN also warned that unless this despotic tendency is checked, nothing prevents the President, in the name of the ongoing fight against Boko Haram, from extending this power grab to other states that catch his fancy."
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/state-of-emergency-acn-accuses-jonathan-of-deceit/

Also Note That the Nigeria Gov Forum led by Amaechi(APC) and "Progressive" Governors Forum(APC Govs) had earlier kicked against the State of Emergency
www.channelstv.com/2013/05/13/governors-forum-warns-against-state-of-emergency-in-north/
3. Prosciption And Declaration of Boko Haram As Terrorist Group
June 04,2013: Jonathan Declares and Proscribes Boko Haram, Ansaru as Terrorist Groups


According to the Presidency, 
“It officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act,” the statement said.

“The proscription order warns the general public that any person participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of
the said groups will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act

Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly  or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.

June 05, 2013: Senate, Reps Backs Move

Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe: 
“the senate supports the proscription of Boko Haram. It should have been done long ago. But it’s a welcome development.”

Hon Abiodun Faleke of Reps said: 
”I agree with the proscription. We are
already in war with the group. I only hope that the same will apply to Niger Delta militants and all amnesty will be stopped."

June 09, 2013: Proscribing Boko Haram, Ansaru wrong, Violates Constitution says ACN/APC

Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has said that the recent proscription order against Boko Haram and Ansaru, desirable as it may be in tackling the terrorist organisations, violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by stifling the press and tampering with the fundamental human rights of Nigerians

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/jonathan-clamps-down-on-terrorist-groups-proscribes-boko-haram-ansaru/
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/proscribing-boko-haram-ansaru-wrong-says-acn/
4. UK, USA Proscribes Boko Haram
8, July 2013: UK Proscribes Boko Haram


A Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary today laid an Order that, if approved by Parliament, will proscribe both Boko Haram and Minbar Ansar Deen from Friday 12 July. This will make membership of, and support for, these organisations a criminal offence.

"The government is determined to work with the international community to tackle terrorism and take the steps necessary to keep the UK public safe. Proscription of these groups sends a clear message that we condemn their activities." 
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/terror-uk-islam-487706
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-23228908

13,Nov 2013: USA Proscribes Boko Haram

The United states department of state announced the designation Wednesday, citing section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order
13224.
The statement added: “All of our assistance to Nigeria stresses the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that human rights are respected. That assistance and these designations demonstrate U.S. support for the Nigerian people’s fight against Boko Haram and Ansaru.” 
They also listed BH as Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/13/world/africa/boko-haram-us/
http://m.state.gov/md123085.htm

14,Nov 2013: FGN Hails USA Move

Justice Minister Adoke told reporters in Abuja that the US stance is a welcome development and saluted Washington
for partnering with Nigeria to stamp out terrorism.
“This step will assist this nation to deal with these renegades. It will also help in strengthening the proscription of Boko Haram by the federal government,” he said
icirnigeria.org/fg-hails-us-designation-of-boko-haram-ansaru-as-terrorists/

ACN/CPC/APC Never commended the move by the United States and the United Kingdom by declaring Boko Haram a Terrorist Group.
5. Military Successes Over Boko Haram

25Feb, 2015: APC Senators Praise Jonathan, Military
Senator Maina Lawan(APC Borno) led the praise

"It is only fair Mr. President that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this Senate. I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated; Mongno which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army has been liberated. Baga my home town has been liberated; the effort is ongoing and I think it is only fair that no matter what is left, it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing and we appreciate that effort. We ask them to do more so that in the areas they have liberated, mopping up is concluded for the communities to go back.”

Senators Buka Abba Ibrahim(APC, Yobe) and Ali Ndume Borno chorused the praise. 
http://www.naij.com/400056-apc-lawmakers-praise-jonathan-on-war-against-terrorism.html

25 Feb, 2015: House of Reps Hail Jonathan and Military
Motion was led by Hon. Muhammad Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno), and seconded by Hon. Abubakar Momoh (SDP, Edo) 
“Almost all the local governments taken over by Boko Haram have now been liberated, so the armed forces require some encouragement from us in the parliament,”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/house-applauds-jonathan-military-for-onslaught-against-boko-haram/202682/

24 Feb 2015: APC Blasted Jonathan Again
Rather than praise the President and The Army(like others were doing), the APC that has never hidden their stand against the use of force by the Army suddenly did a U-turn to praise the Army(hypocritically) but again lambasted the President, and went political. In the words of Lai Muhammed:

”Is it not curious that the same President who has stood by while Boko Haram decimates a whole section of the country over the past six years has suddenly realized there is something he could do to crush the sect in six weeks? Is it not curious that a military that has been globally acknowledged for its successes in peacekeeping at regional and international levels has suddenly found itself unable to tackle a band of criminals? Is it not curious that the necessary fighting equipment that have not been made available to the military, despite the injection of over 32 billion US dollars into the defence and security sector since 2008, have suddenly become available? President Jonathan, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, must take responsibility for the monumental cost, whether of his incompetence or his political strategy-gone-awry or both, apologize to the nation and immediately back down from seeking re-election. The President must not be allowed to profit from an error of judgement that has cost 15,000 lives, forced over 3 million out of
their homes and cost the taxpayers 32.88 billion US dollars,” APC said.

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2015/02/24/boko-haram-apc-slams-jonathan-for-acting-too-late-praises-military/
6. Gen Buhari's Conflicting Positions
26 Feb 2015: "No Amnesty For BH"
While the rest of Nigeria and the North East residents and citizens celebrates the success of the Army, Gen Buhari was somewhere in Chatham house talking about amnesty and no amnesty. In his own word...

“I think I will not go to that office with that promise. I have said in my address how, at least 13,000 Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram, how millions of them have been displaced and are now kept in different camps called Internally Displaced Persons camps.

“Schools have been burnt, there is so much disruption to normal life; people cannot farm and where they are able to farm, they cannot harvest. So, granting amnesty to Boko Haram will be unfair to the system.”
www.nigerianeye.com/2015/02/no-amnesty-for-boko-haram-members-buhari.html?m=1ko

Meanwhile, he said nothing when FG proscribed BH and officially labelled it Terrorist Group in 2013. He said Nothing when the USA and UK followed suit. No one heard his support for the State of Emergency in 2013. 

It is on record that the only action against BH that Buhari supported was when Jonathan setup a committee to look into the prospect of granting the terrorists amnesty IF they come out from their hiding. 
In the words of Buhari in April, 2013

“It is good that they have set up a committee on amnesty. I have not seen the terms of reference, but it is a right step in a right direction. “This is not the first time amnesty would be given to a violent group. You remember it happened in the time of Yar’Adua when he gave amnesty to militants, but whatever would bring us peace as a society, we should do it,”
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buhari-backs-amnesty-for-boko-haram/

In fact, in June 2013, he further advocated that BH be given the same Amnesty that was given to ND Militants and he condemned the killing, and burning of properties of members of the insurgents by the army. 

“You see in the case of the Niger Delta militants, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua sent an airplane to bring them, he sat down with them and discussed with them, they were cajoled, and they were given money and granted amnesty.
“They were trained in some skills and were given employment, but the ones in the north are being killed and their houses demolished. They are different issues, what brought this? It is injustice.”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/buhari-military-offensive-against-boko-haram-anti-north/149256/

Today, Gen Buhari only remembered to kick against Amnesty when the Military is on the verge of wiping out BH once and for all from our territory.
I don't believe in conspiracy theory, however, Nigerians and the entire world should ponder on the APC's position on Boko Haram since 2013 and decide whether or not the party has been patriotic in their stance. These are the same people accusing Jonathan. 
Let us recall that during the Islamic Maitatsine insurgency in 1980s, Buhari as Head of State went fully aggressive without anybody repeatedly opposing him. In fact, opposition to Buhari could fetch one death sentence or jail term. Why couldn't he and his party reciprocate the gesture to GEJ's government? 

I want to thank the "APC" dude that proposed my ban to the moderator. I also want to restate my 100% loyalty to the PDP and Goodluck Jonathan's project, and appreciate the government for the huge success over Boko terrorists. #NeverAgain Shall we be deceived.

Yesterday I was angry with President Jonathan for not dealing decisively with Boko Terrorist, today the entire Nigerian population (except some "change men" ) are joining hands to celebrate the security success over Boko terrorist. Well done GEJ 

Let's vote wisely with prayers..

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