Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said his Kaduna state counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai, is not opposed to negotiation with bandits, but the one that emboldens the criminals to continue to perpetrate heinous crimes.
Fayemi who is also Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said this while fielding questions from journalists at the 2021 Pre-Synod Nehemiah Summit organised by The Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, in Lagos.
“I don’t think my colleague Governor El-Rufai is adverse to negotiation with bandits,” Fayemi said.
“It is on record in the past where he promoted negotiation in retrieving the Chibok girls, so he is not totally adverse or completely adverse to negotiation.
“I know how agitated the Governor of Kaduna is. He is far more knowledgeable about the local situation and he will do what is best for its citizens.
”I know he is a serious Governor and I know him to be committed to the safety of lives of the people.
“We need kinetic, which is military action and non-action kinetic and for those who are beyond redemption and some of these bandits are beyond redemption, we must to go and take them out.
“We have always said that there are unemployment and other factors that are fueling youths violent extremism.
“I refer to drugs, climate change and a whole range of issues. This means that people are not innately criminal, there are sometimes socio-economic underpinnings responsible for their criminal acts.”
Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Humphrey Olumakaiye, said Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its history, and its citizens must come together and deliberate on the way to maintain our unity as one nation.
