Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwwal on Saturday again launched a passionate plea to members of the Boko Haram sect to sheath their sword and embrace peace, even as he called on the federal government to also follow the path of meaningful dialogue that would bring an end to the insurgency.

The speaker also urged the federal government not to shut its doors against dialogue with the terrorist group, assuring that the House of Representatives was ready to support any effort geared towards bringing about peace in the country and put a permanent end to killings across the country.

Tambuwal stated this in Kaduna yesterday while declaring open the National Conference on Practical Steps in uniting the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and Jama’atul Nasir Islam, JNI, Annual Pre-Ramadan meeting, held at the JNI national headquarters.

According to him, “As leaders, whether in the field of politics or private life, it is incumbent on us not only to preach unity but to also practice how to unite the people. As leaders, either appointed or traditional leaders, we need our community and united people to achieve meaningful development and to practice those things that will unite our community and country.

“We must not shut our doors. The long time dispute in the world is that of the Israeli and Arab or Palestine conflict, yet they find their ways to dialogue and address their differences.

“First and foremost, we are not fighting war with another country; it is an internal war that we are facing. Therefore, dialogue is necessary.

“I have said this before about two-three years back and I am still maintaining my ground; we need to dialogue and discuss and ensure that we bring back those that can be brought back. If they have any issues that can be addressed by the government, those issues should be looked into with the possibility of being attended to. And for those of them that feel all they need is to take up arms against the rest of us, we’ll face them squarely”, he said.

The speaker, therefore, called on Nigerians to unite, irrespective of their religious differences for the survival of the country, adding that, there must be a peaceful country called Nigeria before anyone can practice their religion and for the government to implement meaningful projects that will impact on the lives of her people positively.

“Nigerians need to stand and work together for the survival of the country”, Tambuwal added.