Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram -Ex-Senate President

A former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas, on Sunday urged the Federal Government not to negotiate with members of the Boko Haram sect since they have refused to embrace peace. Wayas gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on the sidelines of the celebrations of his 73rd birthday. He said government should not spare anybody found to be involved in terrorism because such a person has demonstrated that he did not want the nation’s unity and progress. “We should round them up wherever they are. There should be no sympathy for them, and they do not deserve any pity,” he said. He also called on the Federal Government to be resolute in the fight against terrorism, so as to quickly curb it and other criminal tendencies. Wayas, who observed that the nation had been passing through difficult times with regards to insecurity, urged the country’s leadership to be steadfast in winning the war against terrorists. “Any leader who wants to be a good leader should not think about being thanked for whatever duty he performs. Such duty is for the humanity,” he said. Wayas said the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction was an incident which disturbed him so much, and urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for their safe release. “The abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Those girls are innocent and I know that God will free them very soon,” he said. On his life, Wayas expressed gratitude to God for giving him the opportunity to celebrate his 73rd birthday. “I feel very strong. I feel I am just starting and I look forward to brighter days ahead. I am going to have my last child when I am 101 years and that child will have my last grandchild,” he said. His wife, Mrs Cathrine Wayas, also thanked God for keeping her husband alive and for the entire family to witness the occasion. “We will remain grateful to God who keeps us to this time and I pray he will continue to guide us till eternity,” she said. Bishop Humphrey Erumaka, Presiding Bishop of World Base Assembly, Lagos who officiated at the occasion, described Wayas as a statesman who served God and the country wholeheartedly. He prayed God to continue to give the celebrator and his family more glorious days.