The Bow Group, conservative think-tank based in the United Kingdom has published a potentially explosive report in which it says that Nigerian opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has members linked with Boko Haram operations in the Nigeria.
This is coming months after Alexander Nekrassov, a former Senior Advisor to the Kremlin and an internationally renowned political commentator, had described the Nigerian opposition, the All Progressives Alliance, APC, and its leadership as “Muslim extremists”, citing concerns within Russia that “losing Nigeria to Muslim fundamentalists is simply a no go”.
In an opinion editorial, published by the internationally respected Al Jazeera news channel, Nekrassov reveals Russian concerns that Boko Haram’s insurgency is politically motivated, with the APC identified as the main benefactors. Whilst Nekrassov recognises accusations from both the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and APC of reported support to Boko Haram, he says, in reference to an anticipated all Muslim/Muslim ticket being pursued by the APC, “all things considered, Jonathan’s regime is still a better option than a coalition of the Muslim extremists that is shaping up now with an aim to win next year’s elections.”
Nekrassov also highlights predictions by Russian military analysts of a rise in violence leading up to the Presidential elections, stating “it is worth remembering that the leading APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, has been accused of inciting a violent uprising after losing the 2011 presidential election, resulting in nearly 1,000 deaths”.
Meantime, the Bow Group has presented a report titled ‘Exposing and Defeating Boko Haram’ and published on its website. The Group asserts, “An early investigation into the backers of Boko Haram and their links to the APC, followed by potential sanctions designed to prevent Nigeria becoming a future safe-haven for terrorists, and threat to UK citizens at home and abroad, therefore seems an appropriate and important strategy to prevent future terrorist threats before they take hold.”
The report which is authored by Jacob Zen, a research analyst who has written extensively about Boko Haram and Northern Nigeria, also warns the United States of America on meddling in the politics of Nigeria. “The US is playing a dangerous game,” it says.
“There are concerns in the international community and Nigeria that the U.S. Democratic Party or its advisers may be associating themselves with northern Nigerian politicians, despite reported links to Boko Haram.
“Any political pact between US officials and the APC carries risks – the US must adopt a neutral approach to the Nigerian elections and political landscape,” the report says.
The group also calls for the immediate commission of an international investigation that can bring sanctions against political and business leaders in Nigeria and abroad who are financing Boko Haram.
