The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and his running mate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state have promised that their government would negotiate with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as well as militants and other insurgent groups to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.
Fielding questions on the Channels TV Townhall meetings Sunday, Atiku said, “every geo political zone has its security challenges.”
He stated that IPOB which is agitating for Biafra and cannot secede through another civil war because the nation cannot afford another civil war.
He said he believes in negotiation with agitators as well as devolution of powers which would give them a sense of belonging.
“I believe we should be able to negotiate with the agitators. We believe that what they need is autonomy. That is why we are proposing restructuring. I believe devolution of powers is the solution to their agitation. There is no one single geo political zone that can achieve political power without crossing the Niger,” he said.
On Boko Haram, Atiku said, “I still don’t understand why we should have Boko Haram. I still cannot find the area in Borno state where anyone can hide. Where is Boko Haram thriving?
“We have the Nigerian soldiers and we cannot eliminate Boko Haram. The solution is strong leadership.”
On the proliferation of light arms, the former vice president said, “Again, a few years ago, 2007, I set up a committee to help me find solution to Niger Delta militancy. When I didn’t win, I handed over the document to Yar Adua, the amnesty was the result.
“What has happened today? They have not implemented one project. They have not been able to do the East -west road.”
