‘Boko Haram’s Caliphate, a Declaration of War’- Omar

Abdulwahed Omar, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abdulwahed Omar, has said that the recent declaration of an Islamic Caliphate by Boko Haram must not be allowed.

Omar said that the increasing spate of attacks by the insurgents amounted to an unacceptable declaration of a republic within a republic.

He warned that ceding any part of the country to the insurgents was inimical to the well being of the nation and the growth of democratic governance.

He said that the NLC was concerned about the speed with which the insurgents had been taking over communities in the country in spite of the heavy security presence in the areas.

“The   NLC is worried about the recent incursion into some towns and villages, especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states by Boko Haram. These violent attacks and reported seizures and declaration of an Islamic republic remain unacceptable and must never be allowed, as a republic cannot exist within a republic. While we appreciate the commitment of Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the Armed Forces, to the battle against insurgency in Nigeria, we strongly warn that the consequence of allowing any part of the country to be forcefully seized by any group will be overwhelmingly harmful to our collective unity and socio-economic advancement, just as it would also endanger the growth of democracy. We are worried at the speed with which the insurgents are taking over communities even in areas reported to have heavy security presence,” Omar said.