President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged those who have been
protesting the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, to
henceforth direct their protest to the Boko Haram terrorists and not the
government.
The President also urged the protesters to learn from citizens of other
countries who do not blame their governments for any terrorist act.
He has however admitted publicly for the first time that his
administration was currently consulting with some stakeholders with a view to
exploring what he called alternative methods of resolving the present crisis.
Jonathan made the disclosure in a speech delivered on his behalf by the
Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, to a team of #BringBackOurGirls
campaigners, led by a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwezili.
The protesters, who had planned to take their protest to the Presidential
Villa where they wanted Jonathan to address them were restricted by security
agents to the Federal Secretariat within the Three Arms Zone, a few metres from
the Villa gate.
Those who joined Akinjide in the delegation that represented Jonathan at
the rally included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator
Pius Anyim; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed; Minister
of Information, Labaran Maku; Minister of Women Affairs, Zaynab Maina; and
Minister of Environment, Lawrencia Laraba.
Others were the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values,
Sarah Jubiril; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati; and the
Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, among others.
Jonathan, in the speech, said his administration was working hard, in
conjunction with the international community, to rescue the abducted girls and
end terrorism.
He said it was wrong and unfair to say that there was a slow response to
the abduction.
He said, “It is wrong and most unfair to suggest that there was a slow
reaction to this kidnapping. As Commander-in-Chief, Mr. President meets with
the security chiefs almost daily and he is on constant consultation with
regional and global partners on this terrorists’ threat.
“We must be careful not to politicise the campaign against terrorism.
When a bomb goes off in Kabul, Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan do not
blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Bagdad, Iraq, the people of Iraq do not blame
the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Islamabad, Pakistan, the people of Pakistan do
not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb goes off in Nigeria, we must all unite to fight the
terrorists.”
Instead of these protests against Govt and d military, Oby and her group now have a golden opportunity to contribute meaningfully against BH. Army is recruiting and they should encourage their children, brothers and sisters to join.
ReplyDeleteI have a better idea.Why don't we advice d President to encourage d niger delter militants to enlist,may be. Asari shld be given d post of a field commander n shut off his mouth 4 good.
DeleteTrue talk Oby is in a position to make a change in dis country she can go to her village and encourage dem to join d military to fight boko haram instead of carrying placards, dat is pretension of a high order.
ReplyDeleteIt is now apparent that Jonathan does not know his responsibility as the president of Nigeria. He vow to protect lives and properties of Nigerians but his ineptitude has led to inefficiency in governance therefore , he should resign.
ReplyDeleteOfuchi u are a bastered if Jonathan resign what do think that will happen to Nigeria I think u need to be investigateD b/c ur hand is not clean from b/h
DeleteWhat are we talking about?Nobody blamed d President 4 d act of terror committed by BH but he was blamed 4 his slow reaction n lack of concern 4 d victims by going to. Kano less than 24hrs after nyanya bomb blast to dance Azonto.It also took 3 weeks to even acknowledge d Chibok Kidnaps n to add salt to injury his wife came out to show d whole world dat she didn;t believe there was kidnap in Chibok.
ReplyDelete