B'Haram victims: Protest greets call for one-minute silence

A major controversy at the ongoing National Conference was on Monday averted by the Deputy Chairman of the confab, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, when almost all the delegates rose to protest against the call for the observance of a one-minute silence in honour of victims of the recent Boko Haram attacks in Zamfara State.

A delegate from Zamfara State and former Military Administrator of Nasarawa State, Col. Bala Mande (retd.), who is representing the North West geo-political zone, in his submission to the debate on the speech by President Goodluck Jonathan, had requested the observance of a one-minute silence for the victims.

While condemning the wave of attacks in some parts of the country, especially in northern parts, he stated that since the conference was convened to determine the future of the country, victims of the Zamfara attacks should be remembered through observance of a minute silence.

His suggestion was immediately countered by a delegate from Nasarawa State and former Minister for State, Mr. Musa Elayo.

Elayo said it would be wrong to single out some victims for such honour since many people had been killed in various attacks across the country.

He particularly made reference to recent attacks in Nasarawa and Benue states, where he noted many people were killed by Fulani herdsmen, insisting that if Mande’s prayer was granted, the conference would have been unfair to other crises victims.

His comments immediately generated tension in the plenary, as all the delegates rose spontaneously to show support for Elayo.

A few others were also seen supporting Mande.

While some were loudly shouting ‘yes’ in support of Elayo, others, mostly from the far North, queued behind Mande.

The commotion caused as a result of the development was brought under control when Akinyemi, who presided over the afternoon session of the conference, decided that rather than observe the minute silence for the Zamfara victims, other victims would be included.

His statement was greeted with a loud ovation.

A one minute silence was then observed for victims of all crises in the country, thus burying the issue.