Obasanjo met Boko Haram leaders, they agreed to lay down arms, govt reneged – Sheikh Gumi
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic scholar, has alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo held discussions with Boko Haram leaders in Maiduguri, Borno State, only to have the government fail to honor the terms of the negotiations.
In a recent video, Gumi stated that the terrorist group’s leadership had agreed to disarm during their meeting with Obasanjo. He expressed concern that while the government negotiates with various groups, it remains reluctant to engage in dialogue with Boko Haram.
“Other groups, such as the Taliban and Hamas, are approached for negotiations; why can’t we do the same with Boko Haram? It seems there’s a taboo surrounding such negotiations,” Gumi stated in the video.
He claimed Obasanjo personally told him about the meeting, revealing that the former president felt disappointed when the government did not act on the agreement reached in Maiduguri. “Obasanjo was bitter about the lack of government response, and you can interview him about it,” Gumi added.
Gumi urged the Nigerian government to address its security challenges independently, without relying on the international community. “Nigeria must demonstrate that this is our issue to resolve, without depending on external standards or ethics,” he said.
He emphasized that the government should not succumb to external pressures or misinformation. “The government shouldn’t be blackmailed; that’s what is hindering progress. If I were president, I would propose a six-month amnesty for those willing to lay down their arms,” Gumi concluded.
