Chibok Elders: FG should support Obasanjo’s peace moves
The federal government should learn from the United States of America and negotiate the release of over 200 school girls abducted by Boko Haram fighters on April 14, leaders of Chibok and Borno Elders Fora said yesterday.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service Thursday that he had a way of negotiating with Boko Haram members but that the government has not permitted him to do so.
Speaking to Daily Trust in Abuja yesterday, leader of the Chibok Elders Forum Dr. Pogu Bitrus said it is unfortunate for the federal government to thwart efforts by people of goodwill in trying to negotiate the release of the girls who have been in captivity for over two months now.
He said if the United States of America could negotiate with the Taliban to secure the release of one soldier, the federal government has no reason not to do same.
“We welcome every good move by well-meaning people and people of goodwill to negotiate and bring back our daughters be it former president Olusegun Obasanjo or anyone else. We are praying to God that He gives them courage and wisdom to do that for us,” he said.
The Chibok Elders Forum also accused the government of negligence in the handling of the abduction right from day one saying. “The Federal government started on a very bad footing. If it is true that Obasanjo has been seeking for permission to proceed with dialogue with the abductors and they have denied him, then it is very unfortunate and is sad.”
Dr. Bitrus maintained that since it is now certain that the Nigerian government cannot rescue the girls with the use of force, then common sense presupposes that they should negotiate
“It is now established that the government cannot rescue the girls by use of force, then the only option is to negotiate with them and if Obasanjo has a means of talking with them, then the Federal government should give him the chance and support him,” he said.
“The federal government has woefully failed us as a people because it took the President 18 days to be convinced that our daughters were actually abducted which was why he set up the factfinding committee which visited Chibok and met with some of the parents and their daughters.”
“The federal government didn’t handle this well. There is so much recklessness in the way and manner it is being handled. We are ready to accept our daughters no matter what fate befell them.”