A leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Audu Ogbeh, on Tuesday apologised to the BringBackOurGirls campaigners for insinuating that the group is an appendage of the APC.Mr. Ogbeh, had during the former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration for the APC presidential ticket, extolled the group for its selfless campaign to secure the release of the over 200 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgence over six months ago.
“We believe that one day; they (Chibok girls) will be reunited with their children even though those children have seen a lot of trauma,” Mr Ogbeh had said.
He also said the group’s leaders are members of the APC.
“We commend the #BringBackOurGirls movement led by members of this party; we thank them for their commitment to Nigeria because they remain the only living evidence that Nigeria has a conscience.
“We hear that the Federal Government wants to take them to court, let the courtroom be large enough to accommodate all of us when they sue them,” he concluded.
Following Mr. Ogbeh’s statements, many Nigerians lashed out at Mr. Ogbeh and APC, saying the party was attempting to make political gains out of the girls’ misfortune.
The presidency said the comments merely confirmed its belief that the protest group was politically-motivated to undermine President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
Presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, in a tweet on Thursday said the group and the party are merely politicizing Nigeria’s collective agony to score political points.
“Our longstanding view of BBOG movement’s hidden agenda to unseat the Jonathan administration received full Justification yesterday.
“Roles played by Dino Melaye and the presence of BBOG’s initiator Hadiza Usman at Buhari’s declaration is proof of their true aim of politicising the agony of the Chibok girls and their families.
“This is now fully apparent, the true agenda and prime movers of BBOG movement,” Mr. Abati said.
Referring to APC chieftains as #BringBackOurGirls activists, Mr. Abati urged Nigerians to reject the group’s “political partisanship and unjustifiable” bashing of the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. Ogbe in a letter dated October 20 and addressed to the leaders of the #BringBackOurGirls group, offered apologies for his earlier statements.
“I feel obliged to let you know that my statement at our function last week was not intended to paint your group as an APC sub-group.
“This is because, from what we now know, less than two percent of the group are our party members, but members we value highly.
“The rest of you are and may not even belong to any political association whatsoever; this is not to say that you have no right to be if you choose to.
“If my statement caused you discomfort, I do apologise, but reiterate that I have nothing but respect and admiration for you for keeping a six-month vigil and telling the world that the Nigerian conscience is not totally dead.”
The APC chieftain noted that the world is watching Nigeria and making judgment while wishing the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners God’s blessing and protection.
Tags
Politics