Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, believes that the Boko Haram sect has legitimate grievances.
Criticising the response of the current administration to the insurgency, Obasanjo highlighted low level of education in the northern part of the country as a contributory factor to the situation.
He was speaking on Monday during a global education conference in Dubai, United Araba Emirates (UAE).
“They have legitimate grievances,” he told IBTimes UK.
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“We don’t need anyone to tell us that that is a problem. A problem of disparity, a problem of marginalisation.
“The response of the government initially was definitely not enough. When Boko Haram started showing their fangs about four years ago, the reaction should have been firm and unmistakable.”
However, he recommended a carrot-and-stick approach, adding that the heat that the sect is facing from the military at the moment could force it to dialogue with the government.
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“If Boko Haram is ready to talk, we should talk. But they will need to be pounded a little bit by the military and then, they would be ready to talk,” he said.
“When we were dealing with the carrot aspect, the stick aspect should have been firm. I hope with that, we’ll now go the carrot, the carrot is those things rightly or wrongly perceived as injustice or grievances that can now be dealt with.
“But the false confidence of the militants to go into Chad, Niger and neighbouring countries has now led to a regional coalition of military and that has been reasonably effective; it has not completely solved the problem.”
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24 comments
Obasanjo is a senile old man. How can Boko Haram’s objective – Sharia for all of Nigeria – be legitimate. If the North-east is marginalized, was Obasanjo not President and Herad of State for 11 years? What did he do? Buhari was Governor of the Boko Haram heartland. What did he do? Nigeria has be ruled by Moslems and Northerners for much of her independence. What did they do? Obasanjo is an attention seeker. The world should ignore him
This is well said.
Obasanjo has always been a dictator just like Buhari. They do not take NO for answer. Both of them had the opportunity to add value to the lives of Nigerians from the North but failed. They need to change before they depart this planet or face the wrath of God for their many atrocities.
The words of our elders and words of wisdom. I wonder what is d problem with Nigerians, instead for us to take d messages serious we always castigate the messenger. Obasanjo is a Stateman by all standard. One of the few that believe in d Nation state Nigeria
Are u normal? What’s boko harams grievances? To Islamize Nigeria & d rest of Africa. Wake-up bro.
Obasanjo is a stateman by his own selfish and greedy standards. You do not take a message wholly from a messenger who has an unmistakable penchant for lying, fact-twisting, hypocrisy and self-aggrandizement.
My friend beware of the innocent blood your cohorts BH has killed, Please be advised properly on your opinion before you attest to it. You don’t know Obasanjo and where He is operating from, except you have an idea.
Obasanjo is a statesman agreed.. The words of our elders are the words of wisdom agreed also.. Wen he (Obasanjo) was the military head of state wat was it did he do to enlighten these pple of the Northeast and as democratically elected, what did he do for 11yrs all together nothing.. And he stands to attack a man dat in 4yrs built schools for dem.. I blive senility has set in..
Yes a statesman who hails from Nigeria and lives in the neighboring Porto Novo- Benin with the explanations that there’s no light and security in Nigeria where he ruled 3ice! A statesman who left Nigeria/Nigerians worse off than he met them. By the way, which state are you referring to? Ogun State, I suppose!
I disagree with you. Obasanjo is not a statesman but a confused old man who has lost his bearing. Boko haram started immediately he was sworn-in as the president of this country in 1999,what did he do about it?
Obasanjo is just a joke just like his publicist. Campaigning for killers and also saying the north that has ruled this country morethan any other region is educationally marginalised shows he is indeed suffering from senile dementia. Because at the last count the North has more government schools than the south. I grew up to see community and comprehensive high schools built on community efforts while the northerners still enjoy scholarships.
I feel pity for the him and his northern collaborators. It’s a big shame and highly disgraceful
OBJ still promoting 3rd term agenda through the backdoor,he must have an idea of how things run in the APC,he would also have an idea of the BH team,
When Gen Buhari declined to negotiate onbehalf of Boko haram, Obasanjo should have taken the mantle,he had said he knew them,he has just affirmed it! Your comment..
Research has shown that most of those referred as Educated in Nigeria are most times illitrates but usually very arrogant.
Nobody need to tell you of the disparity in the social life between the North and the South; what we have in common is the religious bigotry; a disease that has hampered our unity more than even a nuclear war.
If Chief Obasanjo sees a reason to defend the Bokos by now, I have no problem but is there any part of this Country that hasn’t sufferred a Federal Government’s neglet? Is it faulse that the only language our Federal Government understands is violence; if not why the recent sponsors and promotion of other violent sects such as the OPCs and MASSOBs? Will anyone be suprise if tomorrow this same government hires the Bokos to work for them?
This old senile man should just shut up if he has nothing more to say. He has allowed his personal grouse with President Goodluck to becloud his senses. What did he do about the deprived people of the North when he was president?
Obasanjo has been working to end this BH problem. Remember he went to maiduguri when GEJ was afraid to leave Aso rock. When OBJ was in charge, did we have this problem? No. When a strong man is in power there is order. When a weak and confused man is in power, there is disorder. A word is ok for a wise mind.
Senile and mischievous old man. Never meaning well
OBJ I dey laugh
I trust baba basket mouth pretty soon he’ll justify the method used by boko rams to register their grievances as the only group with grievances in Nigeria. Typical of Nigerian leaders talking without thinking, how would decisive,firm and unmistakable action solve educational problem? Again, he should mention the unmistakable actions he took to solve Nigerians’ grievances beginning from Odi.
BELOVED,
IT IS BECOMING OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEM OF THIS NATION, NIGERIA, IS WITH BOTH NIGERIANS AND NIGERIAN LEADERS. THE NORTH HAS GOVERNED NIGRIA FOR OVER 75 PERCENT OF HER EXISTENCE AS A NATION.
THEY INTRODUCED SHARIA, RESTRICTING THEIR SUBJECTS FROM GOING TO SCHOOL.
THE EMERGENCE OF BOKO HARAM AS A REPRESSION IS MOST UNFORTUNATE.
DESTROYING NIGERIANS AND NIGERIA AMENITIES AS A WAY OF REGISTERING THEIR OFFENCES MUST BE CONDEMNED BY Games TRUE NIGERIANS. YOU DONT ENTER YOUR NEIGHBOURS HOUSE TO STEAL BECAUSE YOU ARE HUNGRY. I COMMEND PRESIDENT JONATHAN FOR HIS BOLD INNITIATIVVES TO COMBACT THEM.
LET THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCE EDUCATION ON Games FEMALE AND YOUTHS IN THE NORTH. THANK YOU
My country people,I dey so so happy for all of una contibutions for this cable that wisdom no de come from old age,but rather stupidity as una don hear am from grandfather Obasanjo’s mouth.Since Obasanjo lost his bid for the third agenda he come place him two children late president Umaru Yaradua and president Gej inorder to use them fulfill his third term agenda and become d godfather of Nigeria.All this had failed too making grand dady obj ever mad against Gej.As a final altetnatve out of desperation grand dady Obj had joined fellow grand dady GMB,even praising the boko haram that supports GMB with the hope that they would help him fulfll his third term agenda,if GMB wins election.My contry people make una say no to ancestors and sncestral spirits ever ruling this contry again.Their time don pass.
Let other people rule too.This people no be better people to be ruling this country.Them be the worst
I only picked one fact from obj statement, d government failed to cub boko haram @ an early stage Wen we had d chance too. Quoting obj “The response of the government initially was definitely not enough. When Boko Haram started showing their fangs about four years ago, the reaction should have been firm and unmistakable”. A terrorist is nothing buh a terrorist determined to take innocent life’s to make a statement. I could remember d first time Obama lend an helping hand, Jonathan’s response was he doesn’t want to return fire for fire. Can u imagine. I tink obj was rite with dat point he made.
So what has he said about the governments reaction which they have admitted themselves that we do not know? They have taken responsibility for the earlier ineptitude and are working. so if the Regional coalition forces are not enough or the final answer can the elderstates man give valid contributions to what he thinks we can do? What carrot and stick approach is used to reward terrorists in the world today? The France episode they all used in comparing Nigeria had that in it? What kind of people ruled this country in the past? And they still want to come back? Never again!
I WEEP FOR THIS NATION, THE LIKES OF OBASANJO, BUHARI, ATIKU DO NOT HAVE ANY GOOD PLAN FOR THE YOUTHS OF THIS COUNTRY.THE YOUTHS IT IS HIGH TIME FOR WE TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR FUTURE. PLS CHRISTIANS WE SHOULD STAND UP AND PRAY AND FIGHT AGAINST THE INJUSTICES THAT IS FOLLOWING THIS NATION NIGERIA. I AM NOT AFRAID OF ANY ISLAMIC MAN, COUNTRY BC THEY CAN ALSO BE KILLED SINCE THEY DON,T WANT CHRISTIANS TO LIVE.