National Conference: Delegate Blames Northern Leaders Over Boko Haram

A delegate at the ongoing National Conference, Prof. Yusuf Turaki has blamed both Northern political and religious leaders for allowing Boko Haram insurgents to fester in the region. “Mr. Chairman, the question I have to ask is, why have the Northern Muslim Umma, the traditional rulers and the political class allowed Boko Haram to grow from insignificant religious movement into a militant religious force that has overwhelmed them?” Turaki, who spoke while making his contribution to the debate on the report of the conference Committee on Religion at the plenary on Tuesday, warned that Northern Nigeria is at the brinks of collapse and ruin solely on account of religious extremism, militancy, fanaticism and bigotry. In his contribution, a delegate from Benue State, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, suggested that delegates should observe a three-day fast to seek the face of God concerning many sins being committed by those in authority, including past leaders some of whom he said were part of the ongoing conference. According to him, people have hidden under the guise of religion to commit atrocious crimes against innocent Nigerians. He therefore called on the people to go back to God, saying these sins have brought Nigeria to where it is today. “Please don’t serve lunch for three days. We will achieve peace and those who are overweight will lose weight. We should go back and create the middle class. I know that no human beings can equal the Holly Books. But we are not reading them, we are not practicing them”.