Members of Jonathan Peace Ambassadors have advised Northern Elders Forum not to politicize the issue of the abducted Chibok girls; rather they should join hands with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other well meaning Nigerians in their efforts to peacefully secure the release of the girls.
JPA gave the advice while reacting to stories credited to members of Northern Elders Forum and published in some national dailies, giving President Jonathan up to October 2014 to produce the abducted Chibok girls or forget his re-election bid.
In a statement issued rently in Warri, Delta State, and signed by Comrade Dan Erekake, Director General, Musa-Ododo Abdulrahman, National Secretary and Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, Director, Media and Publicity, the group said the ultimatum was uncalled for as it amount to trivialization of the act of terrorism in the country by a section of Northern Elders.
“It came to us as a rude shock that such a statement could come from such an exalted organ like the Northern Elders Forum. To us at JPA, this is not time to trade blame rather it calls for sober reflection by all Nigerians that the time we are now is not the best of time and as such all hands must be on deck towards the fight to wipe out terrorism and other related vices in the country.”
“It is a task that President Jonathan has been battling and from all indications he is not giving up on the issue. President Jonathan has made it clear in almost all his speeches that terrorism must be wiped out completely, as he has also shown his commitment towards securing the release of the abducted girls.”
“On the contrary, it is no longer news that Northern Elders could be summarily said to have failed in their responsibility for not being able to prevail on their sons and daughters who have taken to terrorism to release the Chibok girls. Therefore, they must realize that they have a role to play in this game kick started by them and cooperate not to be left for President Jonathan alone,”
JPA further said that insurgency in the north east of Nigeria as it were, is a fight that we must all fight with all the seriousness that it deserves as there is little or nothing President Jonathan could achieve without the support of all the stakeholders in the north especially north east.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are not happy that our sisters have remained in the hands of these terrorists for over 100 days. But the point we are making is that every Nigerian must rise up to the situation. Needless bringing political colouration into the issue, as kidnapping anywhere in the country is purely a big threat to the country, especially when it has to do with terrorism and we must do all within our powers to secure our country. And guide against statements that is capable of gradually disintegrate us”
“All we need now is prayer for safe return of the girls, even as our military is on its feet against these misguided insurgents. We sympathize with the families of the abducted girls as the trauma they are going through could be better imagined than experienced. Northern Elders, we wish to say here that you owe Nigerians apology for not living up to expectation as worthy elders because it was under your watch and tutelage that this monster called terrorism evolved.”
On the osun election, “We expect the APC and its agents to be constructive in its criticism of every good move by the federal government. It is apple clear that they are not interested in building a united Nigeria where all are equal politically and each vote counts, which President Jonathan is bringing to bear, rather on how to snatch power by any means necessary. We assure them that Nigerians knows their ill plans and will put them where they belong come 2015, when every Nigerian will speak for continued transformation. We are taking the treat of forming a parallel government with a pinch of salt as such is a huge joke, please APC leave jokes for comedians,” the statement added.
