PDP backs Jonathan on amnesty for B’Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan
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The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has thrown its weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan for constituting an amnesty committee on the Boko Haram insurgency.

The party said the President’s action was another demonstration of his sincerity and forthrightness in handling national issues.

It said the President had shown that he was indeed a listening leader and that the unity of the country was paramount to him in line with the vision of the founding fathers of the nation.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Friday, said the constitution of the committee was commendable.

The statement said, “We believe the initiative of the President in setting up the amnesty committee is the best decision at the moment and we are optimistic that this drive will yield the desired results in the general good and restore the unity of our nation.

“In giving the committee the terms of reference to consider the feasibility or otherwise of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram adherents and to collate the clamour arising from different interest groups, who want the Federal Government to administer clemency on members of the religious sect and to recommend the modalities for granting amnesty if necessary, the President has again shown his humility and commitment to carry all Nigerians along in all his actions in line with the tenets of democracy.

“We assure Nigerians that the PDP remains resolute in the commitment to restore peace in the country, especially in the North and to return the region to its lost glory as the hub of unity, investment and trade in the country and the West African sub-region.”

Metuh described the northern part of the country as the most receptive region in the country, adding that there was no part of the country that was more accommodating “than the North which has always been home for all people, irrespective of religious creed and tribal affiliations.”